Months after Infosys starts looking for specialized programmers, TCS launches lateral hiring

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest software services exporter, has launched a lateral hiring programme aimed at technology professionals with two to four years of experience, as it accelerates its push toward becoming an AI-led organisation. The initiative comes with competitive salary offerings, with annual packages going up to Rs 9 lakh, and includes a Rs 50,000 joining bonus for candidates who come on board within 30 days of selection, reflecting a sense of urgency in talent acquisition.

The move follows a similar off-campus recruitment drive by Infosys, which recently offered higher-than-usual compensation packages to attract skilled candidates aligned with emerging technology demands. TCS, in an internal communication to employees, encouraged them to refer suitable candidates for multiple roles, highlighting the importance of employee participation in identifying the right talent.

The company said it is seeking graduates and postgraduates who demonstrate curiosity, agility, and a strong inclination toward future-ready technologies. Candidates referred through the programme will undergo a skill-based assessment designed to open pathways into high-demand domains such as artificial intelligence, data, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. The hiring process will consist of three stages, including an online assessment followed by in-person discussions.

TCS emphasised that the programme is structured to place real capability at the centre of career progression. New hires will have the opportunity to work closely with leading experts, engineers, scientists, and AI practitioners within the organisation, while also gaining access to a comprehensive learning ecosystem aimed at strengthening technical foundations and preparing them for evolving industry demands.

Applicants are expected to have hands-on experience in at least one key technology, including Java, Embedded C, C++, SQL, .NET, Python, AngularJS, ReactJS, Node.js, Selenium Automation, Informatica ETL, REST or SOAP web services, and HTML/CSS3.

Meanwhile, Infosys has also stepped up its hiring strategy by offering premium salaries for specialist programmers. The company recently rolled out compensation packages of Rs 21 lakh and Rs 16 lakh per annum for L3 and L2 roles respectively, while L1-level hires are being offered Rs 10 lakh annually along with a Rs 1 lakh joining bonus.

Salil Parekh, chief executive of Infosys, had earlier indicated that the company is investing in high-quality software engineers who will work on artificial intelligence, with significantly higher compensation aligned to the evolving market.

Industry data reflects this shift. A 2025 report by Quess Corp noted that roles in cloud computing, cybersecurity, data engineering, and AI enablement are commanding salary premiums of 20–40%. At the same time, data from Zinnov shows that median salaries for freshers have grown by around 5% annually over the past two years, driven by increasing demand for digital transformation talent.