Paytm plans to hire 4,000 employees across AI, product and technology functions
Emids plans to hire 1,000 AI context engineers for healthcare GCCs by 2027
T-Mobile Launches Hyderabad GCC, Plans to Hire 1,000 Professionals by 2027
McDonald’s India Youth Employment Initiative Creates 1,500 Jobs Across Delhi NCR
Salesforce Focuses on AI-Human Collaboration Instead of Expanding Traditional Hiring
Novo Nordisk adds 2,000 jobs in 2026, shifts to targeted hiring strategy
Rockwell Automation expands India workforce to 4,000 amid manufacturing push
Deloitte India to Hire 50,000 as it Pivots Toward an AI-First Talent Model
Cognizant Plans Up to 25,000 Fresher Hires in 2026 as AI Boosts Productivity and Delivery Capacity
Cognizant Technology Solutions is reportedly preparing to hire between 24,000 and 25,000 fresh graduates in 2026, representing an increase of about 20 percent compared with the roughly 20,000 campus recruits brought on board in 2025. The planned expansion signals a continued focus on entry-level talent as the company integrates artificial intelligence more deeply into its delivery and workforce strategy.
Of the graduates hired last year, approximately 16,000 have already been deployed to client projects, while nearly 4,000 remain in various stages of training. The figures indicate an ongoing reliance on campus hiring to build future-ready capabilities and sustain long-term growth. By strengthening the early-career segment of its workforce, Cognizant aims to create a broader talent pyramid supported by automation and AI-assisted development tools.
The hiring outlook comes at a time when concerns persist across the technology sector that artificial intelligence could reduce employment opportunities, particularly for entry-level roles. However, Cognizant’s leadership has indicated that AI adoption is instead enabling the company to recruit more fresh graduates by improving productivity and accelerating readiness for client assignments. Through the use of AI platforms, agent-based software, and automation frameworks, new engineers are able to contribute sooner in project environments.
Strategic partnerships with major AI ecosystem providers—including Anthropic, Google’s Gemini, OpenAI, and Microsoft—are supporting this transition. These collaborations are intended to enhance software engineering productivity, streamline service delivery, and embed AI-driven capabilities across enterprise solutions. As a result, entry-level employees can operate alongside digital tools that augment coding, testing, analytics, and operational workflows.
Workforce trends during 2025 reflect this shift. Cognizant added roughly 14,800 employees during the year, expanding total headcount by about 4 percent. Revenue growth outpaced hiring, rising approximately 6.4 percent over the same period, suggesting productivity improvements linked to automation and AI-enabled services. In the December quarter alone, the company increased its workforce by around 1,800 employees, reinforcing steady but measured expansion.
Executives have described the evolving workforce structure as a recalibrated talent pyramid in which a larger share of early-career professionals is supported by AI-assisted delivery models. Embedding artificial intelligence skills at the beginning of employees’ careers allows fresh graduates to transition more quickly from training to billable client work. This blended model—combining human expertise with intelligent automation—is intended to improve efficiency while maintaining service quality.
Geographically, Cognizant continues to recruit graduates across multiple regions, with India and the United States remaining central to its hiring strategy. India serves as a major talent hub for engineering and digital services roles, while US-based recruitment supports client proximity and domain-specific expertise. The company’s global campus outreach reflects sustained demand for technology services despite cautious enterprise spending in some sectors.
Financial performance in the most recent reporting period provides additional context for the hiring plans. Cognizant recorded fourth-quarter revenue of approximately $5.3 billion, representing year-on-year growth of about 4.9 percent. Full-year revenue reached roughly $21.1 billion, an increase of around 7 percent compared with the previous year. Operating margin improved to about 16.1 percent, indicating stronger cost discipline and operational efficiency alongside revenue expansion.
These results suggest that the company’s multibillion-dollar investments in artificial intelligence, automation platforms, and digital engineering capabilities are beginning to influence both growth and workforce strategy. While many global enterprises remain cautious in discretionary technology spending, demand for AI-enabled transformation, cloud modernisation, and data services continues to create hiring opportunities in specialised and entry-level roles alike.
Industry observers note that the relationship between AI adoption and employment is becoming more nuanced. Rather than simply replacing roles, AI in many service-based technology companies is reshaping skill requirements, accelerating onboarding, and expanding the scale at which junior engineers can contribute. Cognizant’s projected increase in fresher hiring reflects this broader structural change within the IT services sector.
For graduates entering the workforce in 2026, the hiring outlook may signal continued opportunity despite automation-related uncertainty. Companies integrating AI into delivery models still require significant human talent to design, manage, and refine intelligent systems. Early-career professionals equipped with AI literacy, software engineering fundamentals, and domain knowledge are therefore likely to remain in demand.
Cognizant has not publicly detailed the exact timeline or distribution of the planned 2026 hiring intake. However, the projected scale underscores confidence in long-term technology services demand and the role of AI in enabling scalable workforce growth. As enterprises accelerate digital transformation initiatives, the company’s emphasis on campus recruitment and AI-augmented productivity is expected to remain central to its operational strategy.
The hiring plans ultimately highlight a shifting narrative within the technology industry: artificial intelligence, rather than uniformly reducing jobs, may in some cases expand opportunities—particularly for workers prepared to operate in AI-integrated environments.
Emirates to Hire 20,000 Operational Staff Amid Fleet Expansion
Emirates Airline has announced plans to recruit nearly 20,000 operational staff by the end of the decade as part of a major fleet and network expansion. The hiring initiative is tied to the delivery of new aircraft, which will be deployed to both new destinations and existing routes to increase flight frequency.
Adel Al Redha, deputy president and chief operations officer at Emirates, said during a media briefing in Dubai that the recruitment will focus on a range of operational roles, including cabin crew, pilots, engineers, technicians, and airport staff. The 20,000 figure applies specifically to operational positions, with additional hires planned in IT, administration, and other support functions.
Emirates accepts applications from both domestic and international candidates. While the airline runs internal training programmes, these do not fully meet the staffing demand, prompting the broader recruitment drive.
The airline also operates special initiatives to hire Emirati nationals in engineering, cabin crew, IT, and management roles. Currently, the intake capacity for Emiratis in cabin crew and engineering is around 120 per year, but Emirates intends to increase this number over time. Similar programmes exist for IT and management positions, with graduates deployed across the network in managerial roles.
The recruitment push is linked to fleet growth, including the expected delivery of 17 Airbus A350 aircraft this year and Boeing 777X aircraft beginning in 2027. Emirates will also launch hiring for a seat manufacturing unit in Dubai, operated as a joint venture with Safran. Despite regional challenges affecting some European carriers, Emirates continues to operate at full capacity with strong demand across its routes.
Akasa Air Resumes Pilot Hiring as Fleet Expansion Gets Back on Track
Akasa Air has resumed hiring pilots after a pause of nearly 18 months, following improvements in aircraft delivery timelines from Boeing. The hiring restart comes as the budget airline prepares to expand its fleet in the coming weeks.
The airline currently operates 32 aircraft and expects to add two more by the end of February 2026, taking its total fleet size to 34 aircraft, subject to deliveries proceeding as scheduled.
According to statements made by Akasa Air Chief Executive Officer Vinay Dube, the airline is in a stable financial position and currently employs around 750 pilots operating a fleet of 33 aircraft. He indicated that this represents a healthy pilot-to-aircraft ratio by industry standards, with pilots maintaining regular flying schedules. The airline is also preparing for a potential initial public offering (IPO).
The renewed hiring follows a challenging period last year when Akasa Air faced operational disruptions linked to pilot availability. Despite having close to 800 pilots at the time, the airline experienced flight cancellations and compliance-related issues with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), highlighting gaps between staffing levels and operational readiness.
With aircraft deliveries expected to stabilise and fleet growth back on schedule, the airline has moved to strengthen its pilot workforce to support future operations.
Separately, Akasa Air recently introduced redesigned uniforms for its ground services staff as part of a broader brand refresh. The new uniforms, created by fashion designer Rajesh Pratap Singh, emphasise comfort, functionality and sustainability, aligning with the airline’s contemporary brand identity.
TCS to Build Largest Delivery Centre in Brazil, Create 1,600 Jobs by 2027
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced plans to develop its largest delivery centre in Brazil, with a new campus coming up in Londrina, in the state of Paraná. The project involves an initial investment of USD 37 million (approximately BRL 200 million) and is scheduled for completion by 2027.
According to the company, the new facility is expected to generate more than 1,600 jobs and function as a key delivery and innovation hub supporting clients across Brazil and the wider Latin America region. The investment represents one of TCS’ largest commitments in Latin America to date.
The announcement was made during an event held at Palácio Iguaçu, attended by the Governor of Paraná, Carlos Roberto Massa Júnior (Ratinho Júnior), and Bruno Rocha, Country Head of TCS Brazil.
Governor Ratinho Júnior said the investment would strengthen Paraná’s position as a growing technology services hub, citing the state’s public education infrastructure and focus on training in programming and artificial intelligence. He also highlighted the presence of an extensive public university network with increasing emphasis on technology-oriented disciplines.
Bruno Rocha stated that the new campus reflects TCS’ long-term strategy for Brazil and Latin America, adding that the facility is intended to support digital transformation initiatives for clients while contributing to local economic development and employment.
The 9,000-square-metre campus will include three newly constructed buildings and is designed to meet LEED Gold sustainability standards. It will bring together TCS’ existing operations in Londrina and allow for future expansion. The centre will focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and cloud technologies, including platforms from Google, AWS, SAP, and Microsoft.
As part of its broader AI-led approach, TCS has established AI labs in its Londrina operations and introduced its global “tcsAI Fridays” programme to encourage AI adoption and skill development. TCS has been operating in Brazil for over 20 years and continues to expand its footprint across Latin America.
Deloitte plans major workforce expansion in India, targets 50,000 new hires
Deloitte is planning a significant expansion of its workforce in India, with the professional services firm aiming to add approximately 50,000 employees over the next few years, according to a senior company executive.
The expansion would take Deloitte’s headcount in India beyond its current strength of around 1,40,000 employees, further strengthening the country’s role in the firm’s global operations.
The plan was outlined by Romal Shetty, CEO, Deloitte South Asia, during his address at TiEcon Mangaluru 2026, held on 16 January.
India already accounts for a substantial share of Deloitte’s global workforce. At present, about one in four Deloitte professionals worldwide is based in the country. The firm has set an internal goal of increasing this proportion to one-third of its global workforce within the next three years, reflecting both the scale of available talent and the expanding scope of work being delivered from India.
As part of this growth strategy, Deloitte is also reviewing its geographic footprint. While major metropolitan centres remain important, the firm is increasingly focusing on Tier-II and Tier-III cities to support future hiring and operations.
Cities including Bhubaneswar, Coimbatore, Lucknow, Indore and Jaipur are already part of Deloitte’s expansion plans. Mangaluru is also under evaluation as a potential location, driven by the availability of engineering and medical talent in the region.
Shetty noted that India hosts nearly half of the world’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs), creating opportunities for faster and more integrated growth. To support this ecosystem, Deloitte is exploring concepts such as digital economic zones, which would bring together infrastructure, academic institutions, startups and data capabilities to reduce setup timelines.
In parallel, Deloitte continues to pursue acquisitions and partnerships with startups to strengthen its presence in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and space technologies, with India expected to play a central role in the firm’s next phase of growth.
Infosys Adds 5,000 Employees, Extends Hiring Streak to Six Consecutive Quarters
Infosys continued its steady talent expansion in the December quarter, adding over 5,000 employees and taking its total workforce to 3,37,034. This marks the sixth consecutive quarter of net hiring, highlighting the company’s consistent approach to building talent even as global clients remain cautious on technology spending.
Over the past three quarters, Infosys has hired more than 13,000 employees, standing out in India’s IT services sector where many peers are slowing recruitment or trimming staff. The company attributes the continued growth in headcount to strong demand visibility in specific sectors and geographies where client spending remains stable.
Employee retention also improved, with the trailing twelve-month attrition rate declining to 12.3%, down from 14.3% in the previous quarter. The trend reflects stronger retention at a time when external opportunities in the tech industry have softened.
Fresh graduate hiring remains a priority. Infosys has already onboarded around 18,000 freshers and expects to reach close to 20,000 campus hires by the end of the current financial year, preparing for future demand despite uneven near-term conditions.
The hiring momentum comes alongside mixed financial performance. Infosys reported a modest year-on-year decline in net profit for the December quarter due to a one-time charge linked to labour regulations, while revenue growth remained healthy, supported by strong deal wins and stable execution.
With cooling attrition and continued hiring, Infosys appears well-positioned for gradual demand improvement, maintaining a cautious yet confident outlook in an uncertain global environment.
Apple Expands India Manufacturing Footprint as Foxconn’s Devanahalli Plant Hires 30,000 Workers
Apple continues to diversify its manufacturing operations beyond China, with India emerging as a key production hub. In addition to its established facilities in Tamil Nadu, the company’s new manufacturing unit at Devanahalli near Bengaluru has already hired around 30,000 employees within eight to nine months of operations.
According to reports, nearly 80 per cent of the workforce at the Devanahalli facility comprises women, most of them in the 19–24 age group. Spread across 300 acres, the campus is expected to grow further and may eventually surpass Apple’s Tamil Nadu facilities in both size and workforce strength.
The plant is not only assembling iPhones but is also involved in manufacturing the latest models, with a significant portion of production being exported. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to employ up to 50,000 people.
The campus includes large dormitory facilities for women, with construction still underway. Over time, it is planned to develop into a self-contained township with amenities such as a school and medical facilities. Reports indicate that workers will be provided free accommodation and meals at subsidised rates.
Foxconn, Apple’s key manufacturing partner, is investing an estimated ₹20,000 crore in the Devanahalli project. The production floor alone reportedly spans around 2.5 lakh square feet. With rapid expansion across multiple assembly lines, the facility could become Foxconn’s largest plant in India, employing a predominantly female blue-collar workforce.
Industry observers attribute Apple’s growing manufacturing presence in India to the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme launched by the Indian government in 2021, which has encouraged global electronics manufacturers to scale up local production.
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