India's Hiring Activity Surges 13% in December 2024, Non-IT Sectors Drive Recovery
India's white-collar hiring surged 13% year-on-year in December 2024, with the October-December quarter recording 9% growth as the strongest of the year. Non-IT sectors drove the recovery, led by insurance (34% growth) and hospitality (29% growth), while entry-level hiring rose 18%. However, banking declined 7% and telecom fell 8%, showing mixed sector performance. Senior professionals saw 15% hiring growth, and non-metro cities like Kochi and Jaipur emerged as key fresher hiring destinations.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
India's white-collar job market concluded December 2024 on a strong note, with hiring activity rising 13% year-on-year according to JobSpeak data released by Naukri.com. The October-December quarter emerged as the strongest of the year with 9% growth, driven largely by non-IT sectors and signaling a broader recovery beyond technology after a year of uneven hiring patterns.
Entry-level hiring demonstrated particular strength, with freshers having 0-3 years of experience witnessing an 18% rise in hiring opportunities. This growth was predominantly led by non-IT sectors including insurance and hospitality, indicating expanding opportunities for new graduates across diverse industries.
Insurance and Hospitality Lead Sector Growth
Insurance emerged as the top-performing sector, posting impressive 34% growth in December 2024. The sector's expansion was powered by a sharp 57% jump in fresh hiring, reflecting insurers' strategic push to expand sales, distribution and operational teams as demand improved across various city tiers.
| Sector | Growth Rate | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | 34% | 57% jump in fresh hiring |
| Hospitality & Travel | 29% | Led by Mumbai and Delhi NCR |
| BPO/ITES | 24% | Strong sector recovery |
| Real Estate | 21% | Capital expenditure activity |
| Oil & Gas | 18% | Project execution demand |
Hospitality and travel followed closely with 29% growth, primarily driven by hiring activity in Mumbai and Delhi NCR. Hotels, restaurants and travel companies continued rebuilding capacity amid sustained leisure and business travel demand. Other sectors showing robust performance included BPO/ITES with 24% growth, real estate rising 21%, and oil & gas recording strong gains of 18%.
Mixed Performance Across Sectors
Despite the overall positive trend, not all sectors participated in the hiring momentum. Banking and financial services witnessed a 7% year-on-year decline in hiring, reflecting a more cautious approach amid margin pressures and selective credit growth strategies. The telecom sector also contracted by 8%, indicating sector-specific challenges.
Startups demonstrated resilience during this period, with hiring in the ecosystem remaining relatively steady. This stability was supported by focused recruitment in revenue-linked and execution roles rather than broad-based expansion strategies.
Senior Talent and Geographic Trends
Hiring of seasoned professionals with more than 16 years of experience rose 15% in December 2024. This growth was driven mainly by real estate and oil & gas sectors, where project execution capabilities, regulatory expertise and leadership roles are increasingly in demand as capital expenditure activity accelerates.
| Experience Level | Growth Rate | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years | 18% | Non-IT sectors, insurance, hospitality |
| 16+ years | 15% | Real estate, oil & gas projects |
Geographically, non-metro cities gained significant prominence in the hiring landscape. Kochi and Jaipur emerged as fresher hiring hotspots, highlighting a growing shift towards distributed workforces and talent pools beyond the largest metropolitan areas.
Industry Outlook
Dr Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri, commented on the sustained strength in non-tech hiring throughout the year, noting that it has broadened entry-level opportunities and firmly established this shift as companies move into 2026. The data suggests a fundamental rebalancing of India's job market, with traditional sectors regaining momentum and geographic diversification becoming more pronounced.
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