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The report’s data shows that IT sector hiring increased by over 6 per cent year-on-year in February, while freshers’ recruitment rose by 8 per cent.
As per the survey, AI accounted for the highest number of jobs. (Representative Image)
Despite concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) might threaten jobs, a recent jobs report has delivered surprising news. It reveals that AI adoption and advancements in the information technology (IT) sector have led to a notable increase in hiring for white-collar professionals in the country. In February this year, there was a 12 per cent year-on-year rise, which is considered a significant statistical achievement.
The Naukri JobSpeak Index indicates that the white-collar job market had its best February performance in recent years. The index climbed 12 per cent from 2,890 in February 2025 to 3,233 in February 2026. Additionally, hiring in February jumped by 23 per cent compared to January, far exceeding the usual 13-16 per cent growth.
The IT sector continues to lead. The report’s data shows that IT sector hiring increased by over 6 per cent year-on-year in February, while freshers’ recruitment rose by 8 per cent. The report highlights that India-based multinational IT companies were the primary contributors, with a 55 per cent surge in hiring.
AI accounted for the highest number of jobs. Within the IT sector, AI/machine learning-related hiring grew by 40 per cent, indicating a focus on high-skill and high-value talent areas. According to the report, new hiring grew by 17 per cent year-on-year, while demand for positions with salary packages above Rs 20 lakh per annum increased by 23 per cent.
Non-IT sectors also kept up their hiring momentum. The insurance sector led with a 28 per cent increase, followed by BPO/ITES (22 per cent), real estate (19 per cent), hospitality/travel (15 per cent), and retail (14 per cent).
Multinational companies (MNCs) also expanded their hiring by 24 per cent. In the IT sector, roles related to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) continued to grow, showing a strong 49 per cent year-on-year growth. Naukri’s Chief Business Officer (CBO), Pawan Goyal, noted that hiring in the IT sector is improving significantly and Indian multinationals are investing in AI talent. This is a positive sign as we head into the new financial year.
March 05, 2026, 09:36 IST
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