Indian IT major Wipro has announced a strategic shift in its hiring approach, stating that it will not fix a fresher recruitment target for the financial year FY27. The decision comes amid continued uncertainty in global demand and a growing transition toward an artificial intelligence-led operating model.
In the recently concluded FY26, the company hired around 7,500 freshers through campus placements, with over 3,000 joining in the March quarter alone. Despite this intake, Wipro’s overall headcount stood at 242,156 at the end of March 2026, reflecting only a marginal increase of 135 employees during the fourth quarter.
The company clarified that hiring in the upcoming fiscal will be entirely demand-driven rather than based on pre-defined targets. This marks a shift from the conventional campus hiring model traditionally followed by large IT firms. CEO Srini Pallia highlighted that artificial intelligence is both a disruptor and an opportunity for the industry, influencing how companies plan their workforce.
Chief Human Resources Officer Saurabh Govil noted that the hiring strategy will remain flexible due to the volatile business environment. Wipro also indicated that it may revisit its hiring plans later depending on how market conditions evolve.
The company’s increased focus on building its AI ecosystem signals a long-term shift in service delivery, with a stronger emphasis on specialised skills over large-scale hiring. The move aligns with a broader trend in India’s IT sector, where companies are becoming more selective and closely aligning recruitment with business demand.
