Despite global uncertainty, hiring remains intact in Indian IT space
Except TCS, all IT biggies increased headcount during Q2FY26
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Head count addition in the Indian IT industry is likely to continue in the coming quarters despite certain stress in the demand environment. According to HR industry experts, IT services companies continue to hire for specific skillsets along with onboarding freshers.
“The trend with our customers is that most of them are hiring. There is some stress in Indian GCCs, but that seems like normal course correction. Most of the Indian IT companies have figured out that what kind of investments is required in the AI era. Headcount addition in Indian IT industry is going to go up because GCC hiring remains upbeat. Secondly, tech firms can’t shy away from hiring in India,” Siva Prasad Nanduri, CEO of staffing firm, Diensten Tech, told Bizz Buzz.
During the second quarter ended September 2025, most big and mid-tier IT companies have shown positive movement in their total headcount. Barring Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), all IT biggies reported an increase in their headcount.
Infosys added 8,203 employees in Q2/FY26, making its fifth consecutive quarter of headcount addition. Similarly, HCLTech added 3,489 employees in the second quarter. While Wipro added 2,260 employees, Tech Mahindra’s headcount went up by 4,197 staffers by the end of September quarter. Such increase in headcount allayed fears of stagnant workforce owing to AI-powered automation. This has also dispelled fears about massive job losses that may arise owing to an AI wave.
Industry experts opined that while AI is definitely making many jobs automated, there are many new skill areas where demand is surging.
“AI-led automation has been going on and there are many jobs that are getting replaced. However, hiring is going on for several specific skillsets,” Naduri said.
Meanwhile, freshers are also being onboarded by the IT services companies during the second quarter. It indicates companies are not shying away from campus hiring through multiple entry-level jobs are getting automated through AI. “Fresher hiring is going on, albeit at a slow pace. Hiring is happening in specific skillsets,” said another executive. Infosys has hired around 12,000 freshers in the first half of FY26, and is on track to hire 20,000 freshers for the full fiscal year. HCLTech added 5,196 freshers during the second quarter of ongoing financial year. Similarly, Wipro onboarded 2,900 freshers during July-September period.
During the second quarter, all IT biggies reported a sequential rise in their revenue growth. This has raised hopes of stabilisation in business after the fears of AI disrupting established operating model impacted market cap of Indian IT services companies.
