Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services firm, has reportedly seen its workforce shrink by about 30,000 roles over roughly six monthsaccording to internal employee sources and industry reports that are now circulating widely. This broad estimate encompasses multiple quarters of headcount reduction and reflects ongoing restructuring within the company as it adapts to shifting market demands and reskilling priorities.
Actual Reductions Reported And Company Statements
Official disclosures show that TCS’ headcount fell by more than 19,000 employees in one quarter and another 11,151 in the next quartersuggesting a cumulative reduction of over 30,000 jobs across two consecutive quarters of FY26. These figures come from corporate results and workforce data released recently.
While some worker groups and union sources have used the cumulative numbers to describe “30,000 job cuts”, the company has responded by saying that the reductions are part of planned restructuring and skill alignmentnot abrupt layoffs. Previously, TCS clarified that a prior workforce adjustment of about 12,000 positions (around 2% of its global workforce) announced in mid-2025 was aimed at addressing skill mismatches and preparing the organisation for future needs.
Industry Reaction And Employee Concerns
The notion of roughly 30,000 roles being reduced over six months has created anxiety among employees and industry watchers alike. Employee groups have pointed to:
- Prolonged benching without assignments
- Resignations viewed as “voluntary” but believed to be indirectly pressured
- Reduced project allocations for certain skill profiles
There have also been individual reports from employees alleging forced exits despite strong performance records.
TCS Position On Layoffs And Restructuring
TCS leadership has maintained that the company is not conducting mass layoffs in the traditional sense. Instead, it states the workforce changes are linked to a strategic focus on digital, cloud, AI and emerging technology skillsand that fewer relevant roles may be released as part of ongoing transformation and redeployment efforts. The company has emphasised reskilling and transition support for impacted staff where feasible.
What This Means For The IT Sector
The trend at TCS mirrors broader shifts happening in the IT industry globally, where firms are:
- Rationalising roles tied to legacy technologies
- Increasing demand for specialised cloud, AI, automation and data skills
- Managing costs and workforce productivity under tighter budgets
While some numbers are contested — unions and employee sources sometimes put higher estimates than official statements — the magnitude of workforce reduction illustrates real challenges in adapting large workforces to fast-moving technology trends.
Outlook And Employee Guidance
Employees and job seekers are being advised to:
- Focus on gaining skills in high-demand domains
- Consider internal redeployment and reskilling opportunities
- Track company updates and official guidance on transitions
Industry analysts note that while restructuring can be difficult in the short term, it may help large service providers remain competitive in a shifting technology landscape.
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