Indian IT's 2026 Revival: AI Execution, Not Headcount, Drives Growth

• Indian IT industry anticipates a revival in 2026, shifting from traditional growth models to AI-led execution and operating model changes.
• Enterprises are moving from AI pilots to production deployments, focusing on measurable outcomes, cost optimization, and faster time-to-value.
• Revenue growth is decoupling from headcount, with contracts increasingly executed through AI-led delivery and automation.
• Top IT firms like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and HCLTech show profitability driven by efficiency and AI, even with muted topline growth or soft volumes.
• The industry faces structural changes, including new pricing models, talent upskilling, and a focus on "service as software" rather than people-led delivery.

Why It Matters: Indian IT's 2026 revival hinges on AI execution and operating model reinvention, not traditional headcount-driven growth.