HCLTech Workforce Dips Slightly in Q3FY26, Adds Nearly 2,900 Freshers

HCL Technologies reported a small decline in its overall workforce during Q3 FY26, even as it continued to hire fresh graduates amid steady demand. The company’s total headcount stood at 2,26,379 at the end of the quarter, down by 261 employees sequentially.

The decline reflects a combination of attrition and selective rationalisation, rather than a slowdown in hiring. During the quarter, HCLTech onboarded 2,852 freshers, keeping entry-level recruitment intact while moderating total headcount through targeted adjustments.

Hiring Trends at HCL Tech Across Quarters

The latest quarter followed a strong hiring phase in Q2 FY26, when HCLTech added 3,489 employees net, after reversing a decline of 269 in Q1 FY26. In the first half of FY26, the company added 7,180 freshers, including 5,196 in Q2, showing a sustained focus on bringing in entry-level talent.

This pattern indicates that while graduate hiring remains strong, the overall workforce is being managed carefully, balancing new additions with exits and selective reductions.

Attrition Eases

Voluntary attrition continued to ease, falling to 12.4% on a last-twelve-month basis, down from 13.2% a year ago. Lower churn suggests better employee retention and aligns with broader stabilisation trends in the Indian IT services sector, where turnover rates are gradually normalising post-pandemic.

Compared with peers, HCLTech’s workforce has remained relatively stable. Some companies, like TCS, have reported sharper reductions, while HCLTech continues to focus on skills aligned with growth areas such as artificial intelligence, digital services, and engineering-led offerings.

Financial Context

The workforce movement came alongside strong revenue growth and margin recovery. However, profitability was affected by restructuring costs and one-time impacts from new labour codes, resulting in a year-on-year decline in net profit. The company also declared an interim dividend of ₹12 per share, reflecting a balanced approach to rewarding shareholders while managing costs.

Read more: TCS Q3FY26 Earnings Indicate Company Received US$1.8 Billion in AI Revenue.

Conclusion

HCLTech’s Q3 FY26 workforce data shows a measured approach to staffing. With fresh graduate hiring continuing and attrition easing, the company is prioritising productivity and skill alignment over aggressive expansion. Analysts expect this calibrated strategy to continue as client demand remains steady but discretionary spending is monitored closely.

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