India’s job market grew 4.4 per cent in the second quarter of FY26, with e-commerce, retail and logistics accounting for the bulk of new demand, according to a new labour market survey.
The quarterly report, published by staffing and recruitment firms tracking employment trends, showed that consumer-facing sectors are continuing to fuel workforce expansion. The rise follows steady growth in Q1 and underlines resilience in domestic demand despite global uncertainties.
E-commerce and allied logistics services were the top contributors, generating roles in warehousing, last-mile delivery and digital retail operations. Retail hiring also picked up, driven by festive season demand and store expansions in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Logistics providers added jobs to support growing supply chains, particularly in food delivery and fast-moving consumer goods.
Technology-linked hiring was mixed, with strong traction in artificial intelligence, data analytics and cybersecurity, but muted activity in traditional IT services. Manufacturing, automotive and renewable energy sectors also recorded steady additions, supported by government-led infrastructure and industrial programmes.
Recruiters noted that hiring patterns are shifting towards frontline, operations and technology-enabled roles. Analysts said consumer-facing demand was reinforced by continued digital adoption and the rapid growth of omni-channel retail. “We are seeing sustained hiring in e-commerce and logistics, reflecting the structural shift in how India shops and consumes,” one industry executive said in the report.
Metro cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Hyderabad accounted for the largest share of demand, but smaller cities also reported healthy activity as companies expanded outside core hubs. The spread of warehousing and logistics networks into emerging markets is expected to create further regional employment.
With the festive season underway, analysts expect hiring momentum to continue in the near term. Employers, however, are prioritising roles that enhance efficiency, productivity and customer experience rather than broad-based headcount growth.
Recruitment agencies said e-commerce, logistics and consumer retail will remain the top drivers through FY26, with technology and manufacturing providing additional support. Longer term, demand for skills in digital operations, supply chain management and data-led decision making is expected to define hiring patterns.