HCLTech Cuts Net Jobs, Adds 2,852 Freshers in Q3 As Revenue Jumps 13%

HCLTech’s headcount fell for a second straight quarter in Q3 FY26, even as the company added nearly three thousand freshers. The company reported strong revenue growth, underscoring how the IT major is reshaping its workforce amid an AI-driven transition.

It ended the December quarter with 2,26,379 employees, down by 261 from the previous quarter. During the same period, it added 2,852 freshers, indicating that the net decline came from exits and restructuring rather than a hiring freeze. Attrition improved to 12.4% on a last-12-months basis. 

HCLTech has been steadily reducing its dependence on traditional onsite and visa-heavy staffing models, while pushing local hiring and building capabilities around AI engineering, automation, and digital delivery. 

In the previous quarter, management had said the company was fixing location and skill mismatches and rationalising teams in acquired businesses as part of a broader restructuring effort.

This workforce reset is happening alongside rising business momentum. 

In Q3 FY26, HCLTech reported a 13.32% year-on-year rise in revenue to ₹33,872 crore, even though net profit fell to ₹4,076 crore, due to restructuring and higher investment in AI. It includes the one-time impact of New Labour Codes, the company said. 

It also reported strong deal momentum, with total contract value of new deal wins rising 43.5% year-on-year to $3 billion, pointing to continued demand even as the company trims and reshapes its employee base.

For the full year, HCLTech has guided to 4-4.5% revenue growth in constant-currency terms.