India recorded stronger technology recruitment in February 2026 as IT sector hiring growth accelerated across the country. Companies expanded hiring in artificial intelligence roles and entry-level positions.The Naukri JobSpeak Index reported a 12% rise in hiring activity in India, led by domestic multinational IT firms increasing recruitment across the technology sector.
IT sector hiring growth driven by domestic IT companies
Domestic multinational companies led the rebound in technology recruitment. Their hiring activity increased by about 55% compared with last year.
This expansion pushed overall IT sector hiring growth higher in February. The Naukri JobSpeak Index reached 3,233 points during the month. Hiring activity also increased 23% compared with January.
Technology companies had reduced hiring earlier because of global demand uncertainty and layoffs. Recruitment has now resumed across several digital and engineering roles.
AI roles drive tech hiring surge
Artificial intelligence jobs formed the fastest-growing category in the technology workforce. Hiring for AI and machine learning positions increased by around 40% during February.
Indian multinational firms expanded AI and ML recruitment by about 82%. Foreign multinational companies increased hiring for these roles by about 43%.
This demand indicates that companies are building new teams focused on automation and data systems. As a result, IT sector hiring growth is now closely linked to demand for advanced digital skills.
Freshers hiring IT sector expands
Entry-level hiring also improved during the period. Freshers hiring IT sector roles increased by around 8% year-on-year as companies rebuilt graduate talent pipelines.
Demand for fresh graduates across industries rose by about 17%. Companies are preparing new workforce pipelines as technology investment expands.
Higher-salary roles also increased. Jobs offering ₹20 lakh per year or more grew by about 23%, showing demand for experienced technology professionals.
Hiring growth extends beyond technology
Several non-technology industries also expanded recruitment. Insurance companies increased hiring by about 28%. BPO and IT-enabled services reported a 22% increase. Real estate hiring grew by 19%, while hospitality and travel jobs increased by 15%.
Retail sector recruitment rose by around 14%. These sectors contributed to broader employment activity alongside IT sector hiring growth.
Naukri Chief Business Officer Pawan Goyal said IT hiring activity is recovering as companies invest in artificial intelligence capabilities and rebuild digital teams.
