TCS CEO K Krithivasan: Green Cards Never Key to Workforce Strategy

At the helm of TCS, CEO K. Krithivasan has consistently emphasized the company's focus on domestic talent acquisition. Notably, TCS has seen a substantial decline in H-1B permanent residency applications, while bolstering local hiring in the US.

The CEO's stance suggests that TCS's workforce strategy remains largely unchanged despite the US suspension of green card processing.

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At TCS, a significant shift in hiring strategy has been underway, driven by the company's growing presence in the US. Led by Sudeep, the head of CHRO, the initiative involves obtaining a limited number of green cards for permanent residency. This move comes as the company seeks to bolster its local workforce.

With locally hired employees now comprising 50% of its US-based staff. Over the next five years, TCS aims to expand its local hiring to 15,000 more positions.

TCS has established a talent pipeline that involves Indian employees spending two to three years working on US-based client projects before returning home. The company notes a steady flow of talent exchange between its onsite and offshore teams. TCS will continue to recruit based on market demand, rather than adhering to a specific target of 40,000 fresh hires.

As the company enters the final stretch of the September quarter, it has seen a notable shift in its recruitment strategy, with a 29% decrease in freshers hired compared to the preceding quarter, now totaling 10,000 new recruits. Meanwhile, the firm has also significantly bolstered its AI-native talent intake from Indian universities, with a 50% surge in recruitment, as it continues to invest in AI-led technology services.

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"We have increased intake by 50% because we find very good success in them being very natural. They're building great credibility with our customers and able to deliver outstanding results," TCS chief human resources officer Sudeep, Kunnumal said. TCS added 4,258 employees during the quarter, taking its headcount to 5.9 lakh.

The company's annualised AI revenue crossed $3.1 billion, accounting for more than 10% of overall revenue. Krithivasan shared TCS was seeing a new category of deals. This includes those with Porsche and Best Buy, in which it helps clients rethink their operating models as AI changes business requirements.