Indian IT Firms See Fewer Young Faces—A Shift in Workforce Dynamics

Two of Indian IT giants – TCS and Infosys – have seen a notable drop in employees under 30 in recent years. TCS's share of young workers fell from 59% in FY22 to 50.3% in FY24, while Infosys saw a decline from 60% to 55%.

This shift is largely due to lower hiring of freshers following the post-pandemic hiring surge. IT firms had aggressively recruited to meet booming demand, but as growth expectations slowed, fresher intake dropped. Additionally, rising interest rates have tempered demand for IT services, leading companies to skip campus placements and focus on experienced talent.

Interestingly, while the share of young employees has declined, the proportion of senior employees over 50 has increased. This could be a temporary trend, as IT firms typically prefer a higher share of young staff to keep wage bills lower. If growth picks up, fresher hiring might rebound.

The decline in young employees at TCS and Infosys has been analyzed by multiple sources. Mint conducted a detailed analysis of workforce trends, highlighting the drop in employees under 30. Additionally, TechGig has reported on the shift, citing industry experts on the reasons behind reduced fresher hiring.

This decline in young employees isn't just limited to TCS and Infosys —it's a broader trend across the IT sector. Many Indian IT Firms have reduced fresher hiring due to slower growth expectations and rising interest rates, which have tempered demand for IT services.

For example, Wipro and HCL Tech have also seen a drop in the proportion of employees under 30, though exact figures vary. The post-pandemic hiring surge led to an overstaffing situation, and now companies are adjusting their workforce composition. Some firms have even skipped campus placements, focusing instead on experienced professionals.

What do you think—could this shift impact innovation and workplace dynamics in the long run? Do comment below....