India’s white-collar recruitment market recorded a strong year-on-year improvement in August, with hiring activity rising 14 per cent, according to the latest Naukri JobSpeak Index. The growth was led by the automotive, healthcare and retail sectors, signalling broader momentum across the job market.
The Naukri JobSpeak Index climbed to 3,028 in August 2026, compared with 2,664 in the same month last year. Hiring activity improved across both IT and non-IT industries, while demand increased across different experience levels.
Auto, Healthcare and Retail Drive Hiring Growth
The automotive sector recorded the strongest growth among major industries, with hiring increasing 19 per cent year-on-year in August.
Healthcare followed with a 16 per cent rise, while retail recruitment grew 15 per cent. Other sectors also reported positive hiring trends:
| Sector | Year-on-year growth |
|---|---|
| Auto | 19% |
| Healthcare | 16% |
| Retail | 15% |
| Insurance | 12% |
| IT | 11% |
| Banking | 10% |
| FMCG | 10% |
| BPO/ITES | 8% |
| Oil & Gas | 8% |
| Real Estate | 8% |
Pharma and biotech hiring remained unchanged from a year earlier. Hospitality and travel declined 4 per cent, while education recorded an 8 per cent fall.
Hiring Improves Across Experience Levels
The August recruitment data showed that employers were hiring across junior, mid-level and senior positions.
Fresher hiring increased 15 per cent compared with August last year. Professionals with four to seven years of experience saw a 10 per cent rise in recruitment.
Demand for more experienced professionals also strengthened:
- 8–12 years of experience: 16% growth
- 13–16 years of experience: 18% growth
- More than 16 years of experience: 13% growth
The increase in senior-level hiring points to improved demand for experienced talent, including managerial and leadership positions.
Festive Calendar Could Influence Hiring Trends
Hitesh Oberoi, Managing Director and CEO of Info Edge, said the August hiring figures should be viewed in the context of the festive calendar.
According to Oberoi, a larger part of the festive period fell in August last year, while this year’s festive activity is expected to be concentrated more in September. He indicated that the festive quarter would provide a clearer indication of the underlying recruitment trend.
Outlook for India’s Recruitment Market
The latest JobSpeak figures indicate that India’s white-collar hiring market has gained momentum, supported by strong recruitment in auto, healthcare and retail.
However, sector-specific weakness in education, hospitality and travel suggests that the recovery is not uniform across all industries. The coming festive quarter will be important in determining whether the August improvement translates into sustained hiring growth.
For job seekers, the rise in fresher and experienced hiring offers a positive signal, while employers may continue to focus on acquiring skilled talent across business and technology functions.
Get it on Play Store