Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) recently announced it will lay off 12,000 employees — about 2% of its workforce. This news has sparked reactions across the tech world. Former Tech Mahindra CEO CP Gurnani also shared his thoughts, quoting a famous line from the Bollywood movie Sholay — “Kitney aadmi the?… Thank God that period will be over.” His message: it’s time for the Indian IT industry to stop focusing only on headcount and instead shift to results-based working models.
Gurnani’s Key Message
Gurnani believes the traditional pyramid-style model — where companies hire large numbers of junior staff and build up to a few senior experts — no longer works. Instead, he urges the industry to focus on:
- Higher productivity
- Specialized skills
- Advanced technology expertise
He suggests this change is necessary for India to stay competitive in the global tech market.
Why TCS Is Laying Off Employees
TCS clarified that the layoffs are not because of artificial intelligence (AI) replacing workers. Instead, the company says the cuts are due to a mismatch between current employee skills and the company’s new business needs. CEO K Krithivasan explained that deployment feasibility — how easily employees can be placed into new projects — is the main reason for these layoffs.
Other IT Companies Also Affected
TCS isn’t alone. In the past two years:
- Infosys has reduced over 12,000 jobs
- Wipro has cut more than 25,000 positions
- HCLTech is also undergoing changes due to skill and location mismatches
Experts say that basic-level tech roles like entry-level coding, software testing, and documentation are becoming outdated.
The Indian IT Sector Is Changing
For years, India’s IT strength came from its large pool of workers. But now, global clients want more specialized and AI-based solutions. That means the focus is shifting from the number of workers to the quality of their skills.
Former NASSCOM chairman Ganesh Natarajan supports Gurnani’s view. He believes that the old pyramid model is outdated — calling it “Jurassic Park material.” He also mentioned that agentic AI — smart software that can work independently — will soon change how teams are built and how projects are delivered.
What the Future Holds
Analysts predict more job cuts may happen due to changes in market demand and fewer vendors being used, not just due to automation. Jobs in BPOs and customer support are especially at risk.
In conclusion, Gurnani’s message is clear: Tech professionals in India must upskill and reskill to keep up with the industry’s changes. The future will belong to those who adapt to newer technologies and bring specialized skills to the table.
Also See: Intel Layoffs 2025: 24,000 Jobs Gone, Big Factory Dreams Cancelled
