AI, IT gains lift India’s white-collar hiring 12% in February: Report

India’s white-collar job market grew 12 per cent year-on-year in February, driven by rising adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and a recovery in the IT sector, according to the latest Naukri JobSpeak Index report.The index rose to 3,233 points in February 2026 from 2,890 points in February 2025, marking the strongest February performance in recent years, reported PTI. On a month-on-month basis, hiring activity accelerated 23 per cent between January and February, higher than the typical 13–16 per cent rise seen during this period.The IT sector recorded over 6 per cent annual growth in hiring during the month, with freshers’ recruitment rising 8 per cent. India-based multinational IT companies led the surge, posting a 55 per cent jump in hiring, the report said.Within IT, demand for AI and machine learning roles remained strong. AI/ML hiring rose 40 per cent year-on-year, underlining a concentration of hiring in high-skill, high-value segments.The Naukri JobSpeak Index tracks trends in India’s job market based on new job postings and recruiter searches on Naukri.com’s resume database.Freshers’ hiring across sectors grew 17 per cent annually, while demand for roles in the Rs 20 lakh-per-annum salary bracket increased 23 per cent, reflecting strength at both entry-level and premium talent segments.Non-IT sectors also supported overall hiring momentum. Insurance led with 28 per cent growth, followed by BPO/ITES at 22 per cent, real estate at 19 per cent, hospitality and travel at 15 per cent, and retail at 14 per cent.Indian multinational companies expanded hiring by 24 per cent in February 2026.In the IT segment, AI/ML roles sustained a stronger trajectory, rising 49 per cent year-on-year. Indian MNCs increased AI/ML hiring by 82 per cent compared with 43 per cent growth by foreign MNCs, indicating that domestic enterprises are accelerating investments in new technologies.“IT hiring is recovering meaningfully, and Indian MNCs are investing in AI talent at a healthy pace. The underlying momentum heading into the new fiscal year looks genuinely solid,” said Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.