The latest foundit Insights Tracker report sheds light on the changing numbers of white-collar hiring and diversity recruitment.
As per the report by foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), white-collar hiring in India rose by 2% month-over-month (MoM), and the year-over-year (YoY) growth has also been astounding at 22%. The strongest player in this area has been the consumer electronics sector, with an impressive YoY rise of 70%, while the logistics and transportation established itself as a leader with 5% MoM growth.
At 36%, senior management roles registered the highest spike in YoY hiring growth. White-collar hiring within Mumbai rose by 23%, highlighting the city’s growing workforce.
“The consistent rise in white-collar hiring reflects India’s shifting economic landscape and the growing demand for skilled talent. From leadership to entry-level roles, industries are showing resilience and agility, with metros leading the way and tier-2 cities quickly gaining ground. Encouragingly, diversity hiring has evolved into a strategic priority, with organisations embedding inclusion into core HR practices to drive meaningful representation for women, Persons with Disabilities, and other underrepresented groups,” Anupama Bhimrajka, Vice President of Marketing at foundit, explained.
Diversity hiring has indeed been on the rise in India, becoming a strategic necessity rather than a simple compliance mandate. Over the past two years, diversity hiring in India increased by 53%, highlighting the evolving workforce strategies in the country. At 68%, women have seen the most benefits, especially those in early-career and mid-level roles. Last year, this was measured at 53%.
Thanks to inclusive workplace designs, the hiring of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) has also seen an increase of 5%, compressed to 2% from the previous year.
Overall, the Diversity and Inclusion hiring, which includes women, PwDs, LGBTQIA+ individuals,, and other underrepresented groups saw a rise of 27%.
Speaking of diversity hiring, the IT-Software and Services sector grew its share of diversity hiring from 19% to 23%. However, the BFSI dipped from 30% to 21% over the last year. Metro cities have also embraced diversity hiring, with Mumbai and Pune leading the charge thanks to return-to-work programs and diversity quotas in mid-to-senior management roles. Tier II cities like Coimbatore, Jaipur, and Chandigarh are also making impressive strides in diversity hiring with targeted skilling programs and the development of women-led entrepreneurship zones.
Meanwhile, Delhi/NCR and Bengaluru, followed by Mumbai and Pune, have seen a rise in hiring of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). This is especially evident in sectors like operations, HR, and government contracts. Coimbatore and Indore are also enhancing their diversity hiring with the help of state initiatives and local NGOs.