August 4, 2025

In a contrasting trend, while Indian IT service giants prune their workforce, major global tech companies under the FAAMNG umbrella—Facebook parent Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, and Google—are ramping up hiring in India. According to a report by staffing firm Xpheno, these companies have collectively increased their headcount in India by 16% over the past year, translating to over 28,000 new jobs. As of now, their estimated number of employees in India exceeds 208,000, showcasing a robust growth given the substantial layoffs reported in the US, where around 100,000 employees have lost their jobs globally. Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno, remarked that the hiring momentum in India is promising, especially with the increasing emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) potentially influencing the pace of hiring. Currently, these tech giants have approximately 4,500 job openings in India, a significant figure that stands out given global retrenchments. In 2022, hires surged by 35% year-over-year owing to a Covid-19 induced boom, but this growth rate faced a decline to 6% in 2023. In contrast, the top six Indian IT services firms saw a different trajectory, with headcount rising by 22% year-over-year in 2022, followed by slight decreases in both 2023 and 2024. Notably, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leader in the Indian IT sector, announced a shocking layoff of 12,000 employees recently, alleging a mismatch of skills in project deployments. Experts highlight that, while the global layoffs in tech are significant, the impact on India remains moderate, primarily due to an increasing focus on specialized skills. Neeti Sharma, CEO of IT staffing firm TeamLease Digital, indicated that the layoffs in India have not reached alarming proportions compared to other regions. As hiring trends evolve, companies are concentrating on roles that require specialized skills, especially in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Routine support roles are seeing a decline in hiring rates. Sharma expressed a conviction that while some older roles may phase out, new opportunities are being created, necessitating a transitional phase for employees. Employees are under increasing pressure to enhance their skills, particularly in AI and cloud computing, as firms are inclined to retain top talent while forming more streamlined teams. Feedback from Quess IT Staffing shows a 3-6% decrease in hiring from large tech companies in India for the fourth quarter of FY2025, but a notable rebound with an increase of 8-10% in the subsequent quarter. Kapil Joshi, CEO of Quess IT Staffing, pointed out that although foreign tech firms are reducing their workforce abroad, many are still hiring in India, particularly through their Global Capability Centres (GCCs). These GCCs are evolving to handle more sophisticated projects, including AI tools and cloud platforms, as compared to traditional methods. Companies are also striving to manage costs while simultaneously pushing for innovation, which includes expediting the training of employees and addressing talent shortages within a competitive market. In summary, despite the wave of layoffs hitting the global tech landscape, India's tech job market, particularly related to the FAAMNG group, showcases resilience and growth driven by a shift towards high-demand skills in artificial intelligence and cloud technology. The need for specialized talent remains paramount as companies maneuver through an evolving landscape, requiring a strategic approach to both hiring and skill development.

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Tags: It services, Hiring, Artificial intelligence, Cloud computing, Layoffs,