Cognizant to hire 20000 freshers
In a bold move amid industry-wide hiring caution, US-based IT giant Cognizant has announced plans to hire 20,000 fresh graduates in 2025, signalling a renewed focus on building a stronger junior talent base.
Cognizant to hire 20000 freshers
The company, which wrapped up Q1 with a global headcount of approximately 336,300 mostly based in India reported a sequential dip of 500 employees and a year-on-year reduction of 8,300. Attrition rose to 15.8%, up 2.7 percentage points, while utilization rates slipped to 85%, down 3 points.

Cognizant to hire 20000 freshers
CEO Ravi Kumar S explained that the fresher hiring spree is part of a deliberate strategy to reshape Cognizant’s employee pyramid, a structure favouring more entry-level professionals to optimize costs and scalability. “We’re seeing a surge in managed services work, and this pyramid re-baselining comes at the right time as organic growth returns,” he said.
Cognizant to hire 20000 freshers
While major Indian IT firms remain hesitant to reveal precise hiring goals for FY26 due to market uncertainties, Cognizant’s proactive approach stands out. Industry estimates suggest that the top five IT companies combined will hire around 80,000 to 84,000 professionals in the same fiscal year, making Cognizant’s move a significant contribution to the overall talent landscape.