Despite headlines about job cuts, TCS is still hiring — just in a smarter, leaner, and more skill-driven way. This blog covers everything you need to know about TCS hiring after layoffs in 2025–2026, and how you can align yourself with the new direction.

🚨 Quick Recap: Why Did TCS Lay Off 12,000 Employees?

Before diving into hiring, let’s briefly understand the layoffs:

• TCS restructured to deal with bench overload, skill mismatches, and changing client demands.

• A new 35-day bench policy was introduced, putting pressure on non-billable employees.

• Many roles became redundant due to AI automation, GenAI, and delivery model evolution.

• The company is now shifting from a pyramid structure (many juniors, few seniors) to a diamond-shaped model (strong middle layer of specialists).

But here’s what most missed: TCS never intended to freeze hiring. Instead, it’s repositioning its workforce.

✅ Yes, TCS Is Hiring – But It’s Different Now

According to recent reports:

• TCS had over 18,000 job openings in April 2025 alone in APAC and Europe.

• Freshers and specialists in digital, AI, cloud, and cybersecurity are still in demand.

• TCS has paused hiring mid/senior professionals, but not stopped recruitment altogether.

👉 So yes, TCS hiring continues — just with a sharper focus.

🎯 TCS Hiring Focus Areas in 2025–2026

👨‍🎓 1. Fresher Recruitment (Campus + Off-Campus)

TCS is prioritizing early-career professionals who:

• Are flexible and open to upskilling

• Can be trained in AI, ML, automation, cloud, and digital engineering

• Are cost-efficient compared to lateral hires

💡 2. Lateral Hiring for Niche Skills

TCS is still hiring experienced candidates who specialize in:

• AI/GenAI

• Cloud Engineering & DevOps

• Data Science & Analytics

• Cybersecurity & Infra Automation

👉 These are future-facing tech verticals, not traditional IT roles.

❌ What TCS Is NOT Doing

🧍‍♂️ 1. Hiring Mid/Senior Management (Temporarily Paused)

To reduce cost and redundancy, TCS has:

• Paused senior-level hiring

• Frozen salary hikes for existing employees

• Optimized delivery roles with AI tools

💰 2. No Blanket Mass Hiring

Gone are the days of 30,000–40,000 yearly recruits in bulk. TCS is now hiring with precision, not volume.

🗣️ What TCS & Experts Are Saying

“This isn’t about job reduction — it’s about skill optimization.”
— K. Krithivasan, CEO, TCS

According to Fortune India, TCS is going through a talent reset, and this is a signal to the entire Indian IT industry to reskill or risk being obsolete.

Even though there’s a hiring freeze at the top, the bottom of the pyramid is still growing — with more digitally aligned, cost-efficient talent.

📢 What You Should Do as a Job Seeker

Here’s how to align with the new TCS hiring model:

• ✅ Learn AI & GenAI frameworks (OpenAI, Langchain, etc.)

• ✅ Get certified in Cloud tech (AWS, Azure, GCP)

• ✅ Focus on DevSecOps and automation-first thinking

• ✅ Avoid generalist resumes — be specialized

• ✅ Apply to Digital & Innovation roles, not generic developer openings

🔍 Conclusion: Layoffs Aren’t the End — They’re the Reset

The 2025 layoffs at TCS were not the end of opportunity — they were the beginning of a transformation. TCS is:

• Letting go of roles that don’t align with future needs

• Hiring aggressively in AI and digital fields

• Supporting growth, not shrinking it

So if you’re looking to join TCS, you still can — just make sure you’re ready for tomorrow’s IT, not yesterday’s.

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Whether you're an engineer, a teacher, or a freelancer — this is your chance to build visibility post-layoff and monetize your knowledge.

❓Frequently Asked Questions (TCS Hiring 2025–2026)

🔹 What is TCS Smart Hiring 2025?

TCS Smart Hiring 2025 is a recruitment drive aimed at graduates from B.Sc., BCA, and B.Voc streams, primarily focused on IT support, infrastructure, and operational roles.
✅ Ideal for: Freshers without engineering degrees
🗓️ Exam Date: Usually conducted mid-year; follow TCS Careers for updates

🔹 What is TCS Ninja Hiring?

TCS Ninja Hiring is an entry-level opportunity for engineering graduates. It focuses on:

• Strong fundamentals in programming

• Aptitude and reasoning tests

• Technical interviews for CSE, IT, ECE, etc.

It is conducted as part of the TCS National Qualifier Test (TCS NQT).

🔹 What is TCS BPS Hiring?

TCS BPS (Business Process Services) Hiring targets non-technical graduates for roles in:

• Finance & Accounting

• HR operations

• Customer Support
  It includes voice and non-voice roles in domestic and global processes.

🔹 What is Lateral Hiring in TCS?

Lateral hiring refers to recruitment of professionals with prior work experience.
In 2025–2026, TCS is selectively hiring laterally for:

• AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and data science

• Project leads with agile & DevOps background
  Note: Mid-to-senior level hiring is currently paused for cost optimization.

🔹 Is TCS hiring ex-TCSers?

Currently, TCS is not actively re-hiring ex-employees from the 2025 layoffs unless they have:

• Upgraded their skills in AI/automation

• Experience in niche domains

This is part of their shift toward a future-skilled workforce.

🔹 Is TCS hiring in bulk again?

No. TCS is moving away from bulk hiring models. While freshers and digital specialists are still being hired, the company is focused on smart, agile, and skill-based hiring rather than headcount growth.

🔹 What are the TCS hiring trends for 2026?

In 2026, expect TCS hiring to:

• Stay active for AI/ML, GenAI, cloud engineering, and cybersecurity

• Focus more on remote-capable, digitally certified candidates

• Continue reduced mid-level and managerial recruitment

• Include Smart Hiring 2026 and Ninja Hiring 2026 for campus grads