Infosys and TCS witnessed a decrease in headcount for the first time in around two decades, signaling a structural shift driven by automation. Despite this, both companies recorded positive revenue growth, breaking the traditional correlation between hiring and revenue. The rise of generative AI is expected to impact the tech job market, making additional skills crucial for salary negotiation. As global companies tighten tech budgets, Indian IT firms are adopting AI, leading to non-linear changes in job roles. However, AI promises productivity gains, offering new opportunities for digitally-trained workers in India’s evolving job market.