About 76% of recruiters in India are concentrating on creating jobs across different sectors in the first half of 2026, as per a report. Naukri India’s bi-annual survey, based on insights from over 1,250 recruiters, indicates that the healthcare sector is expected to lead with 88% of new job opportunities. The manufacturing sector is following closely with 79% of new roles in H1 2026.
“With 76% of recruiters focused on new job creation, the H1 2026 Hiring Outlook reflects sustained confidence in India’s job market,” stated Dr. Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.com. The IT and Business Development sectors are anticipated to witness the highest hiring activity during H1 2026, with 45% of recruiters in each sector expecting increased hiring compared to the previous period.
Despite concerns about AI-driven job losses, 87% of recruiters believe that AI will not significantly impact overall employment. In contrast to earlier predictions, 18% of recruiters now anticipate AI to create new roles, particularly in IT, analytics, and marketing. AI is seen as a catalyst for new role creation, emphasizing the need for continuous upskilling as organizations gear up for workforce transformation.
Hiring demand is projected to favor entry-to mid-level professionals, with IT and manufacturing leading mid-level hiring and healthcare driving entry-level roles. IT recruiters foresee the highest demand for mid-level professionals (4-7 years of experience), while healthcare recruiters plan to hire predominantly from the 0-3 years’ experience bracket, signaling a focus on fresh talent in the sector.
