Survey highlights the changing hiring opportunities for graduates

Diversity-focused hiring in India’s white-collar job market increased in May 2026 despite a decline in overall recruitment activity, according to the latest findings from the foundit Insights Tracker (FIT). The survey recorded a 21 per cent year-on-year increase in diversity hiring, while overall white-collar hiring declined by 4 per cent compared with May 2025.

The findings offer an indication of how recruitment patterns are changing across sectors and levels of employment. For students and graduates preparing to enter the workforce, the data also highlights the presence of hiring opportunities across different backgrounds and professional roles.

Women accounted for 56 per cent of diversity-focused recruitment in May 2026. The survey also recorded an increase in the hiring of persons with disabilities (PwDs), whose share rose from 2 per cent in May 2024 to 12 per cent in May 2026. Recruitment involving LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse candidates accounted for 32 per cent of diversity-focused hiring.

The Information Technology (IT) and software services sector contributed the largest share of diversity hiring at 25 per cent. The Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector recorded the highest participation of women within diversity-focused recruitment. IT-enabled services and business process outsourcing (ITES/BPO), along with manufacturing, reported higher levels of PwD recruitment.

Hiring across cities and job levels

Geographically, Bengaluru accounted for 19 per cent of diversity hiring, compared with 15 per cent a year earlier. Hyderabad’s share increased from 10 per cent to 15 per cent during the same period. The survey linked hiring activity in Hyderabad to recruitment across technology companies, Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and pharmaceutical companies.

The survey also found that diversity-focused recruitment was not limited to entry-level positions. Senior management and leadership roles accounted for 18 per cent of such hiring, while mid-level positions represented 44 per cent and entry-level roles 38 per cent.

For students and recent graduates, the findings suggest that diversity-related recruitment extends across multiple sectors and career stages. This also places relevance on career preparation that includes technical knowledge, communication skills and awareness of workplace requirements, alongside academic qualifications.

Role of employers

Large enterprises, including multinational companies and GCCs, accounted for 60 per cent of diversity hiring opportunities, while startups represented 21 per cent.

Five key findings

• Diversity hiring increased by 21% year-on-year in May 2026.

• Women accounted for 56% of diversity-focused recruitment.

• PwD hiring rose to 12%, from 2% in May 2024.

• Bengaluru and Hyderabad recorded significant shares of diversity hiring.

• Senior management and leadership roles accounted for 18% of diversity-focused recruitment.

Overall, the survey presents diversity hiring as part of a broader recruitment landscape that varies by sector, location, job level and candidate group. For higher education institutions, such trends can provide context for career guidance and employability programmes, particularly as students prepare to enter a workforce with changing recruitment patterns.

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The Hans India