India’s white-collar hiring has entered a sustained slowdown after touching a high in February, with companies pulling back on fresh recruitment. According to the latest foundit report, the hiring index has fallen for four consecutive months – from 404 in February to 385 in March, 370 in April, 348 in May and 331 in June, representing an 18% decline from the February peak. Hiring in June was 9% lower than a year ago and 5% below May, signalling that employers have become increasingly cautious amid an uncertain business environment.