IT Firms Face Muted Hiring in 9MFY26; Headcount Down Amid AI Shift

• India's top IT firms experienced a sequential drop in net headcount for Q3FY26, with a net decline of 613 employees across the top five.
• TCS saw a significant decline of 11,151 employees in Q3 and over 25,000 in 9MFY26, partly due to a workforce restructuring impacting 2% of global jobs.
• Infosys, HCLTech, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra showed varied hiring trends, with Infosys leading net additions in 9MFY26.
• IT companies are shifting hiring strategies to focus on specialized AI and adjacent technology skills, offering premium salaries for 'future ready' talent.
• Companies like TCS, HCLTech, and Infosys are enhancing fresher programs and launching off-campus drives to recruit talent with AI and next-gen skill sets.

Why It Matters: Indian IT sector faces muted hiring in 9MFY26, driven by a strategic shift towards AI-specialized talent.