AI hiring soars, women step up
India’s white-collar job market is gathering fresh momentum and two powerful forces are driving the surge -AI and an increasingly ambitious female workforce.
According to the latest Naukri JobSpeak Index, hiring activity rose 12% year-on-year in February, with the index climbing to 3,233 points from 2,890 in February 2025. It marks one of the strongest February performances in recent years.
The jump was even sharper on a month-on-month basis. Hiring rose 23% between January and February, well above the typical 13–16% seasonal increase seen during this period.
The IT sector is showing signs of recovery, posting over 6% growth in hiring during February. Freshers are also seeing opportunities open up, with entry-level hiring in IT increasing 8%.
India-based multinational companies played a major role in the uptick, recording a striking 55% surge in IT hiring. But the real buzz in the market is around AI and machine learning. Hiring in AI/ML roles rose 40%, highlighting the growing demand for specialised, high-value talent.
Across sectors, fresher hiring expanded 17% year-on-year, while demand for high-paying roles also strengthened. Jobs offering Rs 20 lakh annual salaries rose 23%, signalling robust demand at both entry and premium levels.
Outside IT, several industries kept the hiring momentum alive. Insurance led with 28% growth, followed by BPO/ITES (22%), real estate (19%), hospitality and travel (15%) and retail (14 per cent).
At the same time, women professionals are pushing for bigger roles in the workforce. An analysis by Apna.co found that applications by women for leadership and governance roles jumped 43% year-on-year, while those for risk management and compliance roles rose 51%.
Women are also increasingly targeting specialised and skill-intensive careers. Applications increased 86% in data science and analytics, 88% in research and development, and 90% in quality assurance, while product management roles saw a 62% rise.
The trend reflects a broader shift in India’s labour market. According to the National Statistical Office’s Periodic Labour Force Survey, female labour force participation rose to 33.7% between July and September 2025, up from 33.4% in the previous quarter.
As companies bet big on AI and women push into leadership and high-skill roles, India’s job market appears to be entering a new phase of opportunity.