Companies employing lower-paid and gig workers are facing higher labour costs after more than 15 states raised minimum wages since April, adding pressure ahead of the festive season.
Nearly four in five senior HR leaders expect companies to create new jobs in the second half of 2026, according to Naukri. Real estate, FMCG and IT are the most bullish sectors, while 86% of respondents do not expect significant AI-driven job losses.
Women remain underrepresented in India’s rapidly expanding gig economy despite near-equal access to basic bank accounts. An ILO-NCAER study cites gaps in digital skills, mobility, safety and social norms as barriers, even as India’s gig workforce is projected to reach 23.5 million by 2029-30.
Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decides to maintain the policy repo rate with a focus on sustainable disinflation and economic growth.
