India's Unincorporated Sector Employment Jumps 15.51% to 15.17 Crore in Q1 2026

1 articles · Updated · Lokmat Times · May 21

15.17 crore jobs were recorded in India’s unincorporated non-agricultural sector in January-March 2026, with the National Statistics Office reporting 15.51% year-on-year employment growth.
9.16 crore establishments operated in the sector, up 16.69%, as rural India led the expansion with workforce growth of 21.65% and establishment growth of 20.46%, versus 10.39% and 12.59% in urban areas.
Services drove much of the increase: unincorporated service establishments rose 24.82% and their workforce expanded 31.13%.
60.97% of workers were working owners, up from 58.29% a year earlier, while hired workers’ share slipped to 24.77% from 26.86%; women still made up more than 29% of total employment.
The ministry said seasonal movement of casual and migrant labor between agriculture and small businesses helps lift both enterprise formation and jobs when non-farm activity strengthens; about 81% of establishments used the internet and cashless payments.