Capgemini India to hire 45,000 for AI roles in 2025 amid global shift
PUNE, INDIA — Capgemini India plans to hire up to 45,000 employees this year, bucking the trend of layoffs in the IT sector. With 35% to 40% lateral hires noted by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ashwin Yardi, the company is doubling down on AI training for fresh talent as demand for cost-efficient services grows.
AI skills, hiring strategy to meet global demand
The company has partnered with over 50 campuses to streamline recruitment, with AI training as a key focus to align skills with evolving client needs.
According to the company, the heavy recruitment is in contrast with the plans by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to terminate 12,000 workers, a move that portrays a different approach to the business. Infosys is also upbeat with its campus hire target of 20,000 this year.
Analysts attribute this disparity to India’s rising appeal as a global IT hub, with clients prioritizing cost optimization. Capgemini’s AI upskilling initiative aims to future-proof its workforce amid automation trends.
Major WNS acquisition expands Capgemini’s AI-powered offerings
The report that Capgemini spent US$3.3 billion to acquire WNS also highlights the company’s significant investment in automated BPO services, despite AI posing a threat to it.
The transaction is expected to ignite earnings per share (EPS) growth by 4% in 2026. However, analysts caution that there are some risks to the traditional BPO revenue sources in the long run.
The shift resonates with the market needs of businesses seeking sophisticated AI-powered products, but integration difficulties remain.
Yet, broader economic uncertainty has forced Capgemini to narrow its 2024 revenue forecast to -1% to +1%, down from -2% to +2%.
First-half operating profit fell 15% year-over-year to €976 million (US$1.1 billion), reflecting softer demand. While India’s growth offsets some declines, global macroeconomic pressures continue to weigh on the sector’s near-term prospects.
Capgemini and TCS recently ranked #5 and #8, respectively, in the OA500 2025, an objective index of the world’s top 500 outsourcing companies.
