HCLTech Cuts Headcount, Slashes Fresher Hiring by 45% in Q3 Despite Revenue Growth

• HCLTech's total employee headcount marginally decreased by 261 to 226,379 in Q3 FY26.
• Fresher hiring saw a sharp 45% decline sequentially, with 2,852 new hires compared to 5,196 in Q2 FY26.
• Revenue grew by 6% sequentially and 13.3% year-on-year to Rs 33,872 crore, with AI services revenue up 20%.
• Net profit fell 11.2% year-on-year to Rs 4,076 crore due to a one-time cost of Rs 956 crore for new labor code provisions.
• New deal bookings were exceptionally high at $3 billion, and the share of women employees increased to 29.5%.

Why It Matters: HCLTech reduced its workforce and significantly cut fresher hiring despite strong revenue growth and AI focus.