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India hiring rises 12% in February on AI, IT recovery: report
India’s white-collar job market rose 12% year-on-year in February, driven by AI adoption and IT sector recovery, the Naukri JobSpeak Index report said. The index reached 3,233 points, up 12% from 2,890 points in February 2025.
IT hiring grew over 6% year-on-year in February, with freshers’ hiring up 8%. AI/ML roles rose over 40% year-on-year.
India-based IT MNCs led with 55% growth, while overall Indian MNC hiring rose 24%.
Pawan Goyal, Naukri’s chief business officer, said IT hiring is recovering meaningfully, with Indian MNCs investing in AI talent ahead of the new fiscal year.
🔗 Source: YourStory
🧠 Food for thought
Implications, context, and why it matters.
The government plays a supporting role in India’s rise in AI-related hiring
- The Naukri JobSpeak Index hiring lift comes from AI-led demand plus an IT hiring rebound. The February jump ties back to AI adoption and IT recovery, not a government plan as the main cause 1.
- Government skilling efforts still add momentum. SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) had enrolled 134,000 students and teachers as of December 2025 1.
- The government is also setting up IndiaAI Data and AI Labs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities (smaller cities beyond major metros). The aim is to spread AI work beyond the usual hubs 1.
AI is raising pay advantages for skilled workers and lifting output for junior staff
- Demand for roles paying Rs 20 lakh per annum rose 23%. A separate government note cites World Bank figures that AI-focused roles earn a 28% wage premium on average, though the Naukri report does not tie its Rs 20 lakh trend directly to that premium 1.
- This shift can widen the gap between workers with AI skills and those without. It can also change what white-collar work is worth.
- Generative AI tools link to a 34% productivity lift for new or lower-skilled workers. The overall lift is 14% 1.
- Over time, firms that build AI into daily work may raise output per worker. Slower adopters may lose ground in hiring and market share.
