India’s white-collar hiring activities grew by 4% in January 2025, driven by strong performances in core sectors such as FMCG, pharma, and insurance, according to the latest Naukri JobSpeak report. This improvement follows a sharp decline of 11% in hiring during January 2024, signaling a potential rebound in India’s job market. “The 4% hiring growth is tempered by the slow recovery of the IT sector, but the robust growth in traditional sectors like FMCG, pharma, insurance, and hospitality is a positive sign,” said Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.com, in a statement accompanying the report.
Sector Highlights Indicate Hiring Shift
The Naukri JobSpeak Index showed that the FMCG sector recorded a 16% increase in hiring, while insurance saw a 15% rise. The pharmaceutical sector reported 11% growth, and hospitality experienced an 8% increase in hiring. However, IT hiring remained largely flat, reflecting ongoing challenges in the tech sector.
Regional Growth in Non-Traditional Cities
The report also highlighted strong regional growth, with Rajasthan emerging as a key performer. Cities like Jodhpur and Udaipur recorded hiring surges of 35% and 32%, respectively, while Jaipur reported 21% growth.
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“This dynamism extends beyond the IT sector, with multiple industries fueling job creation in non-traditional hubs,” the report noted.
Aviation Sector Soars with Hiring Demand
The aviation and aerospace industry posted an exceptional 33% year-on-year growth, led by a 77% surge in hiring in Delhi-NCR. Companies in this sector are focusing on mid-level expertise, with hiring for professionals with 4-7 years of experience rising by 22%.
The Naukri Jobspeak report underscores that India’s employment landscape is gradually shifting, with traditional and emerging sectors supporting job growth outside major metropolitan areas. With these trends, experts predict sustained hiring momentum across diverse regions and industries in 2025.
