“India is entering 2026 with a very positive hiring sentiment. Healthcare and manufacturing are emerging as the strongest growth drivers, while IT and business development continue to generate consistent demand,” Sarkar said.
Citing industry insights, Sarkar noted that around 88 per cent of healthcare recruiters and 79 per cent of manufacturing recruiters expect new roles to be created in H1 2026, fuelled by rising demand for professional services, operational expansion, and technology adoption. The IT sector also remains resilient, with 76 per cent of recruiters anticipating new job creation, particularly in AI-led and digital roles.
He added that IT and Business Development functions are expected to witness the highest hiring activity, with 45 per cent of recruiters in each domain planning active hiring during the period. Sector-wise, BFSI will focus on core financial roles, manufacturing on operations and supply chain, and healthcare on specialized and allied professional roles.
Addressing concerns around artificial intelligence, Sarkar said fears of job losses due to AI are largely misplaced. “Nearly 87 per cent of recruiters believe AI will not hurt employment, and 18 per cent feel it will actually create new, specialized job roles. AI is clearly acting as an enabler rather than a disruptor,” he said.
According to Sarkar, the most in-demand skills in 2026 will include AI and machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital marketing. He also highlighted the rapid expansion of the gig economy, which is projected to reach 23.5 million workers by 2030, driven by flexible and project-based work models.
While hiring intent remains strong, Sarkar cautioned about workforce readiness. “About 84 per cent of professionals feel underprepared for the evolving, AI-driven job market. This makes continuous upskilling and reskilling absolutely critical,” he said.
He further pointed out that Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are emerging as significant talent hubs, and average salary hikes in India are projected at around 9 per cent for 2026.
Summing up, Sarkar said, “The H1 2026 job market is robust, opportunity-rich, and transformation-driven. Employers are hiring, technology is reshaping roles, and skills—not just degrees—will define career growth in the years ahead.”
Arghya Sarkar is the Founder of Recruitment Mantra, a Kolkata-headquartered, AI-powered Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) firm and free job placement consultancy, known for delivering cost-effective hiring solutions for startups and large enterprises across India.
