Non-IT Sectors Lead Hiring Trends in India in 2025, Report Shows

Non-IT sectors took the lead in driving hiring in India throughout the year, with IT hiring remaining steady after a slow start, as per a report. Hospitality saw a notable 23% growth, while education hiring surged by 28% and real estate by 17%. Insurance also showed double-digit growth in the latter part of the year, following a strong rebound earlier. The white-collar job market in India gained momentum in 2025, with mid-single-digit growth on average, supported by non-IT sectors and a rise in AI and machine learning roles.
Hiring activity began with a 2% growth in the first quarter of 2025 and picked up pace as the year progressed. Overall, hiring saw a 6–7% year-on-year growth, with significant spikes in November (+23%), June (+11%), and September (+10%). The report predicts a positive outlook for hiring trends, with a continued demand for AI/ML and specialized roles, and non-IT sectors and emerging cities playing a key role in job creation.
IT-software hiring saw a 2% decline in Q1 2025 but stabilized from Q2 onwards, showing slight improvements in certain months. AI and machine learning emerged as the top growth sector, with a 41% year-on-year increase between January and November. Fresher hiring also saw an uptick, especially in non-metro cities like Kolhapur, Guwahati, Patna, Mangalore, and Udaipur, indicating a shift in entry-level opportunities. Global Capability Centre (GCC) hiring remained steady, with around 3% year-on-year growth in the latter part of 2025.