Hiring activity in India increased by 19% in January, compared to a year ago, according to the Naukri Job Speak Index, compiled by job board Naukri.com. The increase in hiring continues from last month’s 25% jump and it is driven by the IT (Information Technology), BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) sectors and more.

The Naukri Job Speak Index for the month of January 2016 was at 1,748, recording a 19% growth in hiring activity over January 2015. 

The IT-Software sector recorded 22% year-on-year growth and BPO/ITES (Information Technology Enabled Service) recorded a 26% growth. Meanwhile, the auto/auto ancillary sector is up by 9% followed by banking and telecom at 6% and 5%, respectively. Pharma recorded a growth of 8% in the January 2016 index.

However, Oil and Gas continues to struggle with a -18% drop in the January 2016 index.

“The job market continues to sustain the momentum gained with a 19% growth in January,” Naukri.com Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer V Suresh, said. “As predicted earlier apart from IT/ITES and Banking, non-IT sectors like Auto, Auto Ancillary and Pharma are showing signs of revival. In my view good times are ahead as all cities across the country have shown growth in Jan 2016.”

Demand for professionals in ITES/BPO has grown by 31%, Banking by 25% and IT-Software by 20%.

Among the metro areas, Delhi/National Capital Region witnessed the highest growth of 30%, Mumbai follows with 20% and Bangalore has grown by 17%.