India's White-Collar Hiring Rises 12% in February with AI and IT Sector Growth

India's white-collar job market grew 12% year-on-year in February 2026, driven by a recovery in IT hiring and a surge in AI and machine learning roles, which rose 40-49%. Indian multinational companies led hiring increases, especially in high-salary brackets, while non-IT sectors like insurance, BPO, real estate, hospitality, and retail also showed strong growth. Salary hikes of 6-10% are expected broadly, with AI, fintech, and specialized technical roles anticipating higher increments up to 40%. The market reflects selective, skill-driven demand amid economic caution.