HCLTech headcount rises in Q4; fresher hiring slows, attrition eases

HCLTech reported an increase in workforce during the March quarter, adding 802 employees sequentially to take its total headcount to 2,27,181 at the end of Q4FY26.The addition comes despite the company onboarding 1,712 freshers during the quarter, indicating a calibrated hiring approach rather than a broad-based expansion. This follows a net reduction of 261 employees in Q3FY26, when fresher intake stood higher at 2,852.

Voluntary attrition eased to 12.5% on a last-twelve-month basis from 13% a year ago, signalling improved retention even as the sector grapples with demand uncertainty. The hiring trend mirrors a broader industry recalibration, with peers maintaining caution amid delays in discretionary spending and macro headwinds.
C Vijayakumar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said performance during the quarter came below expectations due to softness in parts of the business, driven by lower discretionary spends and delayed decision-making.Alongside its earnings, the board declared an interim dividend of ₹24 per equity share for FY27, with April 25 set as the record date and May 5 as the payment date.

Also Read: HCL Tech sees 1–4% revenue growth in FY27; Q4 profit rises 4%

For FY27, HCLTech guided for revenue growth of 1%–4% in constant currency, below Street estimates. The outlook follows a muted Q4 performance, where revenue and profit missed estimates despite modest sequential growth.