Even as India’s top IT services companies tighten their workforce, global tech giants are ramping up hiring across their Indian operations. The collective employee base of the FAAMNG group- Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, and Google- grew by 16 per cent in India over the past 12 months, adding more than 28,000 net new jobs, according to staffing firm Xpheno, cited by Economic Times. Their total headcount in the country now exceeds 208,000. This growth surpasses the 15 per cent expansion reported till August 2024 and comes at a time when these firms have announced nearly 100,000 job cuts globally, largely concentrated in the US and Europe. “Even in a tough global environment, India remains a critical hub for talent, particularly in areas like AI and cloud,” said Kamal Karanth, cofounder of Xpheno. “The hiring trend shows resilience, and AI is emerging as a key driver shaping recruitment patterns.” Over 4,500 positions across FAAMNG’s Indian operations remain open, reflecting sustained demand for specialised tech roles.Indian IT firms lose steam In contrast, India’s top six IT services players- including TCS, Infosys and Wipro- are facing a hiring slowdown. After registering 22 per cent headcount growth in 2022, the sector saw contractions of 0.2 per cent and 3.1 per cent in 2023 and 2024 respectively. By June 2025, their combined workforce showed just 1.3 per cent annual growth, touching 1.62 million. Tata Consultancy Services recently announced 12,000 job cuts at mid and senior levels, citing skill mismatches and project realignment. “The market is shifting. While traditional roles are being phased out, there’s a surge in demand for skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud technologies,” said Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital. “It’s a tough transition, but essential for staying relevant. Companies are under pressure to retain only top-performing, future-ready teams.” Recruitment has become highly targeted, with most openings focused on specialised digital skills. Hiring for support roles in legacy systems has seen a marked decline. According to Quess IT Staffing, hiring by major global tech companies in India dipped 3–6 per cent in the last quarter of FY25, but rebounded by 8–10 per cent in the first quarter of FY26. Much of the action is happening through Global Capability Centres (GCCs), where firms are increasingly building AI tools, cloud platforms and digital products. “Despite global redundancies, companies are expanding in India via their GCCs,” said Kapil Joshi, CEO of Quess IT Staffing. “They are balancing cost control with innovation, and that means investing in deep tech skills and advanced capabilities.” Experts say the transition will require accelerated skilling efforts to close the talent gap. While traditional IT services hiring may stay muted, India’s strategic position as a global innovation hub appears to be strengthening.
