White-Collar Hiring Starts 2026 on a Stable Note

White-collar hiring in India grew by 3 percent in January 2026 compared to last year. The growth stayed steady and came mainly from non-IT sectors. Areas like BPO, hospitality, healthcare, and insurance pushed hiring forward, while fresher jobs also played a big role.

This shows the job market did not slow down at the start of the year. Instead, it moved carefully but in a positive direction.

Non-IT Sectors Take the Lead

Non-IT sectors clearly led the hiring rise. BPO and ITES recorded the strongest jump, growing by more than 21 percent. Hospitality and travel followed with over 15 percent growth. Insurance hiring increased by more than 7 percent, while healthcare saw a rise of above 5 percent.

These sectors are service-focused and depend heavily on human talent. Their growth suggests rising demand from businesses and consumers. It also hints at improved confidence across the economy.

BPO and ITES Show Strong Momentum

BPO and ITES have stayed among the top-performing sectors for the last three months. In January alone, hiring in this sector jumped 21 percent year-on-year.

Freshers saw a sharp 39 percent increase in demand. Even senior professionals with 13 to 16 years of experience saw hiring rise by 9 percent. This shows that companies are hiring across levels, not just entry roles.

The sector is expanding both in scale and structure, which is a healthy sign.

Non-Metro Cities Step Into the Spotlight

Non-metro cities played a major role in this hiring growth. Jaipur recorded a rise of over 66 percent. Ahmedabad followed with more than 43 percent growth.

These cities are becoming attractive because of lower costs and growing talent pools. Companies are now more open to expanding beyond traditional metro hubs. This shift is creating more local job opportunities and balancing regional growth.

Foreign MNCs Drive Hiring Surge

Foreign multinational companies were a major driver behind the rise in hiring. They contributed to more than an 80 percent increase in job postings in some sectors.

This shows continued global trust in India’s workforce. Skilled talent, language ability, and cost advantage keep India attractive for global operations. Many MNCs are expanding teams rather than slowing down.

IT Sector Stays Flat, AI Roles Shine

The IT sector overall remained flat in January. It neither grew nor declined sharply. However, roles linked to AI and machine learning stood out.

AI and ML jobs grew by more than 34 percent. This highlights where the future demand lies. Companies may be cautious with general IT hiring, but they are investing heavily in advanced tech skills.

Banking Jobs See a Dip

One exception among non-IT sectors was banking and financial services. Hiring in this sector dropped by 15 percent year-on-year.

This could be due to automation, restructuring, or cautious expansion plans. Still, other financial areas like insurance showed growth, balancing the overall picture.

Cities Leading the Hiring Map

Among metros, Pune led with over 23 percent growth. Chennai followed at 18 percent, Bengaluru at 17 percent, and Ahmedabad at 16 percent.

This mix of southern and western cities shows balanced hiring across regions. It also proves that job growth is not limited to one belt.

What This Means for Job Seekers

The January hiring trend sends a clear message. Opportunities are growing outside IT, especially for freshers and service-sector professionals. Skills in AI, customer operations, healthcare, and hospitality are in demand.

The job market is not booming fast, but it is stable. And stability, for many job seekers, is good news.