Indian IT Giants Recalibrate: Hiring Freshers, Delaying Hikes, and Eyeing AI-Led Growth

• TCS plans to onboard 42,000 freshers, matching last year’s intake
• Infosys targets over 20,000 campus hires, focusing on off-campus channels
• Wipro aims for 10,000–12,000 freshers but remains conservative in execution
• HCL Tech expects to hire 10,000+ freshers, especially for offshore centers

• Infosys implemented hikes in January and April, ranging from 5–8% for most, and 10–12% for top performers
• TCS deferred its annual hikes, citing macroeconomic uncertainty
• Wipro remains undecided, with no formal announcement yet
• HCL Tech plans to begin its wage hike cycle in October

Guidance and Outlook: Navigating Uncertainty

• Infosys projects FY26 revenue growth of 1–3% in constant currency
• HCL Tech expects 3–5% CC revenue growth, with EBIT margins between 17–18%
• TCS withheld formal guidance but anticipates improved overseas client spending
• Wipro’s Q2FY26 guidance suggests flat to marginal growth