TCS Addresses Layoff Rumors: Official Figures and Clarifications

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s leading IT services firm, has recently been at the center of discussions regarding workforce reductions. Chief Human Resources Officer Sudeep Kunnumal addressed these concerns, providing clarity on the company’s actions and dismissing inflated figures circulating in the media.

Official Layoff Numbers

According to Kunnumal, TCS has “released” approximately 6,000 employees, equating to about 1% of its workforce. This decision was part of a broader restructuring exercise aimed at optimizing the company’s operations. Kunnumal emphasized that these actions were not driven by a specific target number but were based on the company’s evolving needs and the roles that could not be redeployed effectively.

Addressing Exaggerated Claims

In response to reports suggesting that up to 50,000 to 80,000 employees had been laid off, Kunnumal labeled these figures as “extremely exaggerated” and urged the public to disregard such claims. He reiterated that TCS is not “chasing a number” but is instead focusing on aligning its workforce with the current business requirements.

Union’s Perspective

Contrasting the company’s statements, the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), an IT workers’ union, reported a net reduction of 19,755 employees in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. This figure was derived from the company’s official quarterly results, which showed a decrease in headcount from 613,069 in Q1 FY26 to 593,314 in Q2 FY26. NITES has expressed concerns over the scale of the layoffs and the company’s approach to workforce management.

Conclusion

While TCS has confirmed the release of approximately 6,000 employees, the discrepancy between the company’s figures and union reports highlights ongoing discussions about the extent and impact of the layoffs. As the situation develops, stakeholders continue to monitor the company’s restructuring efforts and their implications for the workforce.