Over a third, or 38% of companies in India intend to hire in the July to September quarter, up from 34% in the April-June quarter and the highest level in the past 15 months, reports The Economic Times, citing survey data from TeamLease. The survey of 700 small, medium and large companies across 21 sectors, found that last year, the numbers had plummeted to their lowest last year, to an average of 18% in the two successive quarters to September. "There is a recovery in the intent to hire across all segments, as people are gradually coming out of the impact of the second wave and preparing for the future," said Rituparna Chakraborty, executive vice-president, TeamLease Services. "Companies are cautious but they are adding manpower for future growth.” Chief executives and economists said a combination of factors, such as easing of restrictions, uptick in consumption and rise in economic activity, are driving both white- and blue-collar employment generation.