MUMBAI: India’s white-collar job market is poised for growth in the latter half of 2025, with nearly 72% of employers planning to expand their workforce through net new job creation, according to a report released today.
Naukri’s bi-annual Hiring Outlook report indicates that the momentum in hiring is expected to remain strong, with 94% of employers intending to recruit during the second half of the current fiscal year. The report draws insights from a survey of 1,300 employers across various sectors in India.
Among these, almost three-quarters (72%) anticipate creating new jobs rather than merely filling existing positions. Despite ongoing concerns about potential AI-driven job losses, 87% of employers do not expect any significant impact on overall employment. Interestingly, 13% of employers view AI as a catalyst for job creation, particularly in emerging roles.
Sectors expected to gain the most from AI-driven opportunities include IT (42%), Analytics (17%), and Business Development (11%).
“It is encouraging to see that 72% of employers are planning workforce expansion through net new jobs rather than replacement hiring. Equally significant is that nearly 87% do not foresee major job losses due to AI—a striking contrast to the global narrative of AI-led layoffs,” said Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.
The report highlights that the robust hiring sentiment is largely fueled by demand for specialized technology roles, with 37% of employers planning to hire for IT positions. This demand is increasingly focused on emerging technologies rather than traditional IT functions, emphasizing skills in machine learning, data science, and AI, which are becoming essential across industries.
In terms of experience levels, mid-level professionals with 4–7 years of experience are in highest demand, with 47% of employers seeking talent in this band. Entry-level hires (up to 3 years) account for 29% of recruitment plans, while 17% of employers aim to hire professionals with 8–12 years of experience, and just 3% are looking for candidates with 13–16 years of experience.
