
Cognizant, Wipro and LTM have delayed onboarding of fresh graduates by more than a year, with some candidates given tentative joining dates stretching to 2027, according to emails and sources cited by Livemint. Cognizant told graduates who received letters of intent in early 2025 that their onboarding is tentatively planned between February and May 2027. Over 200 entry-level candidates at Wipro are awaiting onboarding after receiving letters of intent in August 2024, while LTM has said it will onboard in batches without specific dates.

The delays are driven by cautious IT spending due to geopolitical tensions and the adoption of AI tools that reduce human needs, Livemint reports. The three firms have stated they remain committed to honouring all offers, with onboarding tied to business requirements and project readiness. Separately, Livemint notes that seven of India's 10 largest IT firms have announced changes to their employee pyramids since FY27, reflecting shifting talent needs as automation reshapes hiring strategies.
Livemint's coverage presents a straightforward business-reporting stance on both stories: the first focuses on concrete delays and company statements, the second on structural industry shifts. Neither story criticises government policy or takes an ideological position. The measured read is that the hiring slowdown is real and documented, but companies frame it as a temporary alignment with project needs rather than a permanent reduction in fresher demand. The structural shift toward a flatter or diamond-shaped pyramid, mentioned in the second article, implies that freshers entering now may face more pressure to quickly become productive. Watch for Q3 hiring numbers from these firms as a test of whether the delays are cyclical or structural.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): livemint.com (neutral report), livemint.com (2) (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.