TCS Stalls Hiring of Seniors, Stops Annual Appraisals

In a major shift, Indian tech giant TCS has reportedly frozen hiring at senior levels and paused annual appraisals. The news was first reported by the Economic Times and is gaining attention across the IT industry. This development comes amid broader restructuring and cost-control measures within the company.

TCS has already let go of around 12,000 employees, signaling a clear attempt at trimming expenses. Industry watchers believe the move is linked to declining demand in the IT sector and growing disruption caused by artificial intelligence. These shifts are making companies rethink their workforce models.

The company is also said to be delaying the onboarding of experienced professionals already selected for hiring. Additionally, TCS has started relieving bench employees—those without active projects—across major hubs such as Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata. Reports say that those on the bench for more than 35 days are being let go.

Tech analysts warn that since TCS is a market leader, its decisions may influence hiring and staffing strategies across the Indian IT sector. The job market is already facing pressure from automation and shrinking client budgets, especially in international markets where TCS has strong exposure.

So far, TCS has not issued an official statement confirming or denying these internal changes. However, the lack of transparency has only intensified concerns among employees and industry stakeholders. With hiring on hold and appraisals suspended, many see this as a sign of tougher times ahead for India’s tech workforce.