Indian IT firms double fresh graduate hiring
NEW DELHI, INDIA — Indian IT outsourcing giants are ramping up junior and entry-level hiring to reduce costs and rejuvenate their workforce. This strategic move aims to stabilize margins as operating metrics like utilization and offshore mix approach peak levels.
In the September quarter of FY25, top Indian IT companies collectively added over 17,500 employees, reversing a nearly two-year decline in headcount.
IT industry sees recruitment resurgence
The $254-billion Indian IT industry is bouncing back, with fresher hiring projected to double in FY25 compared to the previous year.
Leading firms like Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, and LTIMindtree are driving this trend, committing to recruit over 82,000 fresh graduates collectively.
Industry-wide estimates suggest fresher hiring could surpass 150,000 this fiscal year, driven by demand in sectors like banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) and large global deal wins.
Training investments strengthen workforce pyramid
To support this influx of fresh talent, companies are investing in training programs to prepare recruits for projects. While it takes 3–9 months for freshers to start contributing fully, their billing rates can be 2–3 times higher than median employees in offshore locations like India.
Somnath Chatterjee, founder of Prismforce, emphasized that abundant labor supply at the entry-level remains a key competitive advantage for Indian IT firms.
Digital services drive demand for skills
In addition to traditional roles, companies are prioritizing high-margin digital services such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and automation.
TCS plans to hire 40,000 freshers this year alone. At the same time, Infosys has launched specialized programs offering salaries up to ₹9 lakh (US$10,600) for roles in emerging technologies like generative AI (GenAI) and machine learning.
Optimism amid industry recovery
The hiring surge reflects broader optimism within the IT sector as growth returns after a subdued FY24.
Saurabh Govil, CHRO at Wipro, noted that growth directly correlates with margin improvement: “With growth coming back, we should be on the positive side there.”
Analysts project a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5–6% for the sector in FY2513.
Future outlook
As demand for digital transformation accelerates globally, Indian IT firms are well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities.
The shift toward fresher hiring not only strengthens workforce structures but also ensures long-term competitiveness in an evolving global market.
