Tue Oct 14 10:22:36 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article based on that information:

**Summary:**

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is facing accusations of illegal retrenchment and a lack of transparency following a significant reduction in its employee headcount in the second quarter of FY26. Multiple labor unions are protesting the layoffs, particularly targeting mid- to senior-level professionals, and criticizing a new “exploitative” deployment policy. Unions are also questioning the fate of over 500 professionals who received job offers but are yet to be onboarded. TCS reported a net reduction of 19,755 employees in one quarter while reporting substantial revenue. Unions dispute TCS’s claims about the nature of employee departures, alleging forced resignations and violations of labor laws requiring government approval for mass terminations. TCS has not responded to requests for comment.

**News Article:**

**TCS Faces Union Backlash Over Mass Layoffs, ‘Illegal Retrenchment’ Allegations**

**Bengaluru, India – October 14, 2025** – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services company, is under fire from multiple labor unions following a substantial decrease in its employee numbers, revealed in its second-quarter results. Unions are alleging “illegal retrenchment” practices, lack of transparency, and the exploitation of employees.

The IT & ITES Democratic Employees’ Association (IIDEA) staged a demonstration at TCS’s Bengaluru campus, protesting what they describe as mass layoffs disguised as attrition. IIDEA alleges that the layoffs disproportionately affect mid- and senior-level professionals. The union is demanding TCS halt the alleged illegal retrenchments immediately.

“Over 500 professionals are waiting to join TCS since July 2025. These professionals left other jobs and now they are facing financial and professional uncertainty.” Said a statement from IIDEA.

The controversy stems from TCS’s reported Q2 FY26 results, which revealed a decrease of 19,755 employees – from 613,069 to 593,314 – compared to the previous quarter. During the same period, TCS reported consolidated revenue of ₹65,799 crore.

While TCS CEO K. Krithivasan previously announced a phased restructuring that would see a 2% reduction in the workforce, labor organizations are questioning the scale and nature of the departures.

Harpreet Singh Saluja, President of the Nascent Information Technology Employees’ Senate, pointed to a discrepancy between TCS’s public statements and the actual numbers. “TCS claimed that only around 12,000 employees were removed in the quarter. This discrepancy is glaring, and raises serious concerns about transparency,” Saluja stated.

A joint statement from the Karnataka State IT/ITES Employees’ Union, Association of IT Employees – Kerala, and Union of IT and ITES Employees – Tamil Nadu, further challenged TCS’s claims. The unions allege that TCS used “cruel and illegal methods” to force employees out.

The unions are accusing TCS of violating the Industrial Disputes Act, which requires prior government approval for mass terminations. “By openly accepting that it has retrenched 6,000 employees, TCS has admitted to a violation… The government must immediately intervene,” the joint statement asserted.

*The Hindu* reached out to TCS for comment but has received no response as of press time. The allegations raise serious questions about recruitment practices and labor standards in India’s IT sector.

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