Cognizant to Hire 25,000 Freshers in 2026, Boosts Entry-Level Workforce by 20%

• Cognizant aims to hire 24,000-25,000 freshers in 2026, a 20% increase from its 2025 intake of 20,000 graduates.
• The company is implementing a "broader pyramid" strategy, leveraging AI to transfer high-value tech expertise to entry-level employees.
• Cognizant's revenue grew by 6.4% in 2025, while the workforce increased by 4%, leading to a 5% rise in revenue per person.
• The recruitment strategy is shifting from a linear model to a graded system, including 'Tech Wizards' for IIT recruits and prioritizing 'learnability' over experience.
• CEO Ravi Kumar S addressed AI job loss concerns, stating that tech disruptions create more future jobs by modernizing software.