India’s formal employment landscape entered2026 on a note of steady but cautious recoveryas overall white‑collar recruitment rose about3% in January compared with a year earlier, according to the latest Naukri JobSpeak Index released by job platform Info Edge.
While conventional technology hiring remained largely flat, the standout feature of the report was asignificant 34% year‑on‑year increase in roles related to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). This surge highlights how demand for specialised digital skills is driving segments of the job market even as traditional recruitment gains traction more slowly.
The modest rise in white‑collar hiring reflects an employment environment that isstabilising after extended volatility, with incremental gains instead of rapid expansion. Non‑IT sectors — including BPO/ITES, hospitality, travel and healthcare — contributed to the broader uptrend alongside fresher hiring, which is also showing signs of growth.
Experts say the data points to an evolving jobs landscape whereAI, data science and specialised technology roles are becoming key magnets for talent, helping to offset slower gains in traditional areas. For job seekers, this suggests that upskilling in emerging fields like AI could open more opportunities, even as the overall market maintains gradual progress.
This trend is also reshaping recruitment strategies — companies are increasingly prioritising high‑growth, future‑ready skills while balancing broader workforce needs. As the market continues to adapt, the mix ofsteady white‑collar recruitment and dynamic tech‑led hiringmay become a defining feature of employment growth in 2026.
