India’s Top IT Firms Set Ambitious Fresher Hiring Targets Amidst Industry Shifts
The Indian IT sector, valued at a staggering $254 billion, experienced a significant reduction of over 70,000 employees in FY24, as clients scaled down technology expenditure during a global economic downturn. However, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel as India’s top IT services firms, including giants like TCS and Infosys, are gearing up to boost their fresher recruitment targets for fiscal 2026, driven by signs of renewed technology investment on the horizon.
**Higher Fresher Recruitment Goals**
Looking ahead to FY26, industry leader Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is planning to surpass its usual recruitment numbers by targeting more than 40,000 campus freshers. Infosys, TCS’s primary competitor, remains committed to hiring over 15,000 freshers in FY25, with plans to exceed 20,000 in the following year. Despite falling short of its FY25 commitment, Wipro has announced intentions to recruit between 10,000-12,000 new graduates in the upcoming fiscal year.
**Promising Signs in the BFSI Sector and North American Market**
The banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector, along with the North American market, have shown positive indications of increased discretionary technology spending during what is typically a slow third quarter (Q3). This suggests promising growth prospects for IT companies in FY26, as they are poised to benefit from this upward trend.
**Industry Insights and Projections**
Infosys managing director and CEO Salil Parekh highlighted that recruitment expansion mirrors the revival in discretionary spending, albeit subject to seasonal revenue variations. Infosys showcased robust Q3 performance with significant revenue growth, prompting an upward revision of revenue guidance for the fiscal year. HCLTech and LTIMindtree also added thousands of employees to their workforces during the December quarter, with plans for continued recruitment growth in FY26.
**Workforce Dynamics and Attrition Rates**
Despite significant workforce reductions in the December quarter, top IT firms reported a sequential rise in their last twelve-month attrition rates, signaling a gradual recovery in demand. The past decade has seen the outsourcing sector grapple with high attrition rates, which have now subsided to 10-15% due to economic factors and reduced business demand in recent years.
As the industry navigates through these shifts, Saurabh Govil, chief human resource officer at Wipro, reassures that recruitment strategies are tailored to meet evolving demand and productivity needs, ensuring a balanced approach to talent acquisition.
This wave of change in the IT sector underscores the resilience and adaptability of these industry giants as they align their recruitment goals with the evolving landscape of technology and business demands. Let’s stay tuned to witness how these firms navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, shaping the future of IT employment in India and beyond.
