NEW DELHI: Jobs in the informal sector grew nearly 15% (yo-y), breaching the 15-crore mark for the first time in JanMarch 2026 from 13.1 crore in the same period last year, the latest quarterly data on the unincorporated sector enterprises released by NSO Thursday showed. The number of establishments in the sector grew nearly 17% (y-o-y) to 9.2 crore from 7.9 crore in the corresponding period last year.

Unincorporated enterprises surged by 17% in early 2026, driven by significant rural economic growth and increased employment opportunities.

India's small businesses are booming. The number of unincorporated establishments grew by 16.7% to 9.2 crore in the January-March quarter. Rural areas led this expansion with a…