In a bold move that contrasts with recent layoffs across the Indian IT sector, Infosys is preparing to onboard approximately 20,000 fresh graduates in 2025, as per CEO Salil Parekh, quoted in a news agency. The company has already recruited over 17,000 new employees in Q1 of the current financial year, signaling a strong hiring momentum.
This significant hiring initiative reflects Infosys’s forward-looking strategy to prepare for the future of work — one increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.
Infosys has already made substantial investments in upskilling its workforce to align with emerging technologies. So far, around 2.75 lakh employees have been trained in AI and related technologies, reflecting the scale of the company’s digital transformation goals.
“AI allows for deeper automation and insights,” said Infosys CEO Salil Parekh. “But it also demands higher-level skills and more effort.”
The company believes that empowering employees with next-gen skills will help maintain its competitive edge and deliver agile, future-ready solutions.
While Infosys expands its workforce, other leading IT players are downsizing. Notably, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) recently disclosed plans to lay off more than 12,000 employees, marking the largest job reduction in India’s IT industry history.
On Tuesday, Nasscom acknowledged that "workforce rationalisation" may become more common in the near future, particularly as the IT landscape shifts toward product-based service delivery and client demands for faster, agile solutions rise.
Parekh elaborated on the tangible productivity benefits already observed from integrating AI tools into operations:
“Software development is seeing 5% to 15% productivity gains,”
“Even greater improvements were visible in customer service and knowledge-based work.”
Despite these advancements, Infosys maintains that human intelligence and oversight are essential for managing complex technology systems. He cited the company’s core banking platform Infosys Finacle, which has realized 20% productivity growth through a hybrid approach of automation and skilled human input.
While many IT firms are trimming workforce to cut costs, Infosys is doubling down on youth hiring and employee reskilling. The goal, according to Parekh, is not only to adopt the latest tech tools but also to grow both human and tech capabilities for long-term success.
This strategic bet underscores Infosys’s belief that AI will enhance efficiency, but human capital remains irreplaceable for sustainable growth.
“Infosys is preparing for long-term growth even as the sector undergoes big changes,” the report noted. “The focus on AI, automation, and skill building shows Infosys is trying to strike a balance between using new technologies and keeping a strong, trained workforce.”
Infosys’s plan to recruit 20,000 freshers in 2025, amid a wave of layoffs in the IT industry, signals a proactive and optimistic approach to navigating digital disruption. With an emphasis on AI adoption, training, and human-machine collaboration, Infosys is positioning itself to not only survive but thrive in a future defined by rapid technological evolution. While automation may change the nature of work, Infosys’s message is clear: skilled people will always be at the heart of innovation.