Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), India’s largest company by market capitalization and the second-largest employer in the private sector, has recorded a landmark achievement in its hiring journey. In FY25, the conglomerate added 1.9 lakh new employees, taking its total headcount to 4,03,303, according to its FY25 annual report.
This surge significantly closes the gap with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which continues to be India’s largest private-sector employer with over 6 lakh employees. The boost in Reliance’s hiring marks a sharp turnaround from FY24, when the company reported an 11% fall in its workforce, largely due to weaker retail activity.
The FY25 hiring rebound is driven by Reliance’s retail division, which now accounts for 61% of the company’s total employees. The digital services arm, powered by Jio, contributes another 23% to the workforce.
This rapid expansion stands out in the broader corporate landscape, where only 12 companies in the Nifty50 have more than one lakh employees. IT and financial services dominate this list, but Reliance has secured a strong second place—overtaking public sector giants such as Coal India and State Bank of India (SBI), as well as IT powerhouse Infosys, nearly three years ago.
TCS: Over 6 lakh employees
Reliance Industries: 4,03,303 employees
Infosys: 3.24 lakh employees
SBI, Wipro, Coal India, HCL Tech, Bajaj Finserv, HDFC Bank: Between 2.1 lakh and 2.4 lakh employees each
Between FY21 and FY25, Reliance Industries’ workforce grew at a CAGR of 14.3%, significantly outpacing TCS (5.6%) and Infosys (5.6%). By comparison, SBI saw a marginal 1% decline in staff over the same period.
This growth is particularly notable given that the IT sector is facing slower recruitment due to automation, AI adoption, and a global technology slowdown. Reliance’s diversification across energy, retail, telecom, media, and green technologies has insulated it from these headwinds.
Despite macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges, Reliance posted a 7.1% rise in revenue to ₹10.7 lakh crore in FY25, while net profit increased by 3% to ₹81,309 crore.
The retail division emerged as the star performer, crossing ₹3.3 lakh crore in turnover, supported by an expanded store network of 19,340 outlets. This expansion has fueled job creation at a time when many other sectors are slowing hiring.
Conclusion
Reliance Industries’ remarkable hiring momentum in FY25 underscores its resilience and strategic positioning in India’s evolving economic landscape.
By adding 1.9 lakh employees and crossing the 4 lakh workforce milestone, the conglomerate has significantly narrowed the gap with industry leader TCS, despite broader hiring slowdowns in technology and other sectors.
The revival in its retail and digital services divisions has been the key growth engine, supported by a vast expansion in store presence and strong consumer demand. Reliance’s ability to sustain a 14.3% CAGR in workforce growth over the past four years, outpacing major IT firms, highlights its aggressive expansion strategy and adaptability to market shifts.
With a diversified portfolio spanning energy, retail, telecom, media, and green technologies, the company has effectively shielded itself from sector-specific slowdowns. Looking ahead, Reliance’s hiring surge not only strengthens its operational capacity but also reinforces its position as a major job creator in India’s private sector.