Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services company, has announced its ambitious hiring plans for the fiscal year 2026 (FY26), aiming to onboard 42,000 trainees.
This move comes on the heels of a similar hiring spree in FY25, during which the company also rolled out an impressive 1.1 lakh promotions, showcasing its commitment to employee growth and talent acquisition.
TCS Strategic Hiring and Promotions as Retention
Despite deferring its annual increments—a significant departure from its usual April cycle—TCS remains steadfast in its hiring strategy.
The company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Milind Lakkad, emphasized the importance of these initiatives during the earnings press conference.
He stated, “We have onboarded 42,000 trainees in FY25, and the FY26 number will be similar or a little higher.”
This consistent hiring approach underscores TCS’s focus on long-term growth and its ability to adapt to evolving business demands.
The 1.1 lakh promotions rolled out in FY25 highlight TCS’s efforts to retain talent and address attrition, which stood at 13% over the four quarters.
Milind noted that promotions serve as a strategic tool to backfill attrition and prepare for future growth.
The company’s tactical interventions, including merit-based advancements, accounted for approximately 100 basis points, according to TCS CFO Samir Seksaria.
Focus on Digital and Emerging Technologies
TCS has been increasingly prioritizing digital hires, with 40% of its new recruits in FY25 specializing in digital roles, compared to 17% in the previous year.
This shift aligns with the company’s strategic focus on next-generation capabilities and emerging technologies.
The National Qualifier Test, an integrated test pattern for entry-level hires, continues to be a key component of TCS’s recruitment process.
Candidates are categorized into hiring streams such as Prime, Digital, and Ninja based on their test performance.
While TCS has maintained its hiring momentum, the company is treading cautiously regarding wage hikes due to global uncertainties.
Milind mentioned that decisions on wage revisions would be made during the year, taking into account the business environment.
Despite these challenges, TCS’s headcount stood at 6,07,979 as of March 31, 2025, with 625 net additions in the fourth quarter of FY25.
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