Cognizant's Pyramid Hire: Freshers Lead the Future

Cognizant plans to hire 24,000 to 25,000 fresh graduates in 2026, marking a 20% increase from 2025. The strategy aims to expand the company's entry-level workforce, emphasizing learnability and AI to drive non-linearity in revenue growth. CEO Ravi Kumar S highlights a shift from traditional experience-based hiring.

IT services giant Cognizant has unveiled ambitious plans to hire between 24,000 and 25,000 fresh graduates in 2026, aiming to bolster its entry-level workforce. This marks a significant 20% increase compared to the company's 2025 recruitment figures, showcasing an expansion strategy focused on fostering young talent.

According to Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S, the company is adopting a 'broader pyramid' strategy, with an emphasis on infusing high-value tech expertise into its junior ranks via Artificial Intelligence. This approach allows the company to decouple revenue growth from headcount growth, achieving a notable 5% rise in revenue per employee.

CFO Jatin Dalal and CEO Kumar stressed the importance of 'learnability' over experience, reflecting a shift in recruitment. Despite concerns over AI-induced job losses, Kumar argues that technological advancements ultimately create new opportunities. For Q4 2025, Cognizant reported an 18.7% net income jump to USD 648 million, aligning with revenue estimates.

(With inputs from agencies.)