
For new graduates entering the IT job market, 2026 is set to be one of the most promising years in recent memory. The IT sector in India is now embarking on a new cycle of expansion after a cautious hiring phase in 2023–2024 and a slow stabilisation in 2025.
The acceleration of digital transformation, AI-led automation, cloud adoption and the proliferation of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are driving huge demand for early-career tech talent.
What’s different this time?
Unlike in the past, companies are no longer taking freshers in just to “fill the pipeline.” They are recruiting intentionally for flexible learners, trouble-shooters, and people who can thrive in dynamic tech environments. From big IT services companies to global technology behemoths, freshers are back on hiring radars and in epic proportions.
This blog breaks down:
- The top IT companies that will employ freshers in 2026.
- Which roles and skills are in demand?
- Salary expectations.
- Key hiring locations.
- And how new graduates can set themselves up for success.
The Bottom Line: Re-Hiring in 2026
Indian IT firms are expected to hire more people in 2026 than in 2025, according to industry reports and hiring announcements. It reflects broader faith in long-term demand, particularly for digital, cloud, AI, analytics, and engineering roles.
Some things that play a role in this hiring spree:
- Expansion of GCCs in India
- Greater outsourcing of technology globally to Indian tech teams.
- AI adoption generating new job categories.
- Talent replacement and skill refresh cycles.
- Demand for cost-effective, future-ready talent.
Freshers, in particular, will have more options through a variety of entry points, including campus placements, national-level tests, off-campus drives, and skills-based hiring platforms.
Top IT Giants Hiring New Graduates this year, and what makes one or another of them attractive
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
TCS remains India’s largest recruiter of freshers, and 2026 is no exception. In FY26, the company aims to recruit approximately 42,000 freshers, making it one of the largest entry-level hiring drives in the nation.
Why TCS appeals to freshers:
- Training, onboarding and learning programs.
- Exposure to international customers and mega projects.
- Several career paths, including software development, testing, data and infrastructure.
- Significant internal mobility throughout the years.
TCS brings on through:
- Campus placements.
- TCS National Qualifier Test (NQT).
- Off-campus recruitment drives.
TCS remains a top choice for those seeking stability, structured career advancement, and long-term retention for graduates.
Infosys
Infosys intends to recruit 20,000 or more freshers by 2026 to further solidify its position in early-career development. With its extensive training ecosystem, Infosys has a great investment in building and scaling up of foundational learning and skillset, which is why graduating in India from academics to the world of enterprise is an ideal option in that regard.
Among the most recent and popular fresher roles:
- Systems Engineer. Digital Specialist.
- Data and analytics jobs.
- Cloud and automation support.
The Infosys Global Education Centre in Mysuru remains a major highlight, with one of the industry’s most extensive freshers’ training programmes.
Wipro
Wipro estimates that 10,000-12,000 new students will be recruited by 2026 for IT services- and consulting-led roles in the group’s new services, particularly in specific areas, by the end of the year.
The company emphasises:
- Digital transformation projects.
- Cloud and cybersecurity.
- Engineering and product development.
Wipro is hiring freshers who gain early client-facing experience and learn more about a particular domain.
Accenture
Accenture remains one of the most attractive multinational employers to Indian freshers. And with steady sourcing through the following:
- Technology.
- Consulting.
- Operations.
- Digital engineering.
Accenture offers fresh graduates:
- Entry-level salaries are competitive.
- Global exposure.
- Strong learning platforms.
- Well-defined, role-based growth paths.
Roles often include:
- Software Engineer.
- Associate Software Developer.
- Business Analyst.
- Data and AI roles.
Participation remains strong through Accenture’s campus and off-campus hiring programs.
Amazon India
The recent hiring at Amazon targets technical, analytical, and operations-focused roles, not conventional IT service-oriented roles. New graduates are hired for roles including:
- Operations Analyst.
- Support Engineer.
- Cloud support roles.
- Data-driven operations.
The nature of Amazon’s work culture is fast-paced and performance-oriented, ideal for candidates who excel in high-impact, ownership-driven environments.
Capgemini
Capgemini still employs freshers across India for:
- Software engineering.
- Data analytics.
- Cloud and infrastructure roles.
It combines technology and consulting into a single approach, and its emphasis on continuous learning makes it an excellent choice for graduates seeking balanced exposure to both.
Cognizant (CTS)
It has a long-standing reputation for consistently onboarding freshers through:
- Campus recruitment
- Entry-level technology programs.
Freshers are also being inducted into roles for:
- Application development.
- Quality engineering.
- Digital transformation projects.
Cognizant’s mix of clients and domain exposure provides a strong basis for long-term IT careers.
IBM
IBM is focusing on fresher hiring of:
- Technical support.
- Cloud services.
- Enterprise IT roles.
- Emerging technologies.
Graduates joining IBM gain exposure to deep-tech environments which are perfect for long-term technical specialisation.
Oracle Corporation
Oracle recruits freshers for:
- Technical consulting.
- Cloud infrastructure.
- Database and enterprise application roles.
Oracle positions usually require good fundamentals and are a good fit of the company for qualified academic and technical applicants.
Aspire Systems
The strong fresher training offered by Aspire Systems, particularly in:
- Software engineering.
- Product development.
- Digital services.
Aspire Systems also offers a more mentorship-driven environment than others for graduates who want hands-on experience and rapid skill acquisition.
Key Hiring Trends for 2026.
- Hiring Volumes Are Rising.
Big IT companies are growing fresher recruitment even more than they did last year. This is an indicator of confidence in long-term project pipelines and global demand. For freshers, this translates to:
- More openings.
- Faster hiring cycles.
- Multiple entry points
Roles in High Demand.
The fresher roles in 2026 that are looking for the most are:
- Software Engineers.
- Data Analysts.
- AI and ML Engineers.
- Cloud/DevOps Engineers.
- Cybersecurity and automation functions.
Traditional coding skills still matter a lot, but companies want:
- Logical thinking.
- Adaptability.
- Willingness to accept and learn new tools.
Salary Expectations
Freshers are expected to earn starting salaries at:
₹3 LPA to ₹10 LPA:
Company. Role. Skill level. Location. Product companies and niche tech jobs tend to have higher pay packages and for service firms people need stable growth and learning.
How Companies Hire
Freshers can apply through:
- Official company career portals.
- Campus placement programs.
- National-level tests (like TCS NQT).
- Skill-based hiring platforms.
A comprehensive resume, project experience in specific areas, a simple, clear format, and basic interview readiness are all part of resume construction and skill set; these can significantly increase the chances of being considered for hire.
The freshest IT jobs in 2026 are concentrated in:
- Bengaluru.
- Hyderabad.
- Pune.
- Chennai.
- Gurgaon.
But these cities are India’s main technology hubs and innovation centres, providing exposure for large firms, startups and global projects.
Fresh graduates should work on:
Fundamental elements to concentrate on while preparing for the competitive interviews at these top companies:
- Building strong fundamentals.
- Finishing practical projects.
- Learning in-demand tools.
- Building good communication skills.
- Keeping abreast with industry trends.
Companies are hiring for learning agility as well as degrees.
Where platforms like SheWork can be a good fit.
With the evolution of new hiring models, today’s organisations are considering more than just established hiring pipelines.
SheWork is instrumental to this process by:
- Coupling companies with pre-vetted project-ready talent.
- Facilitating flexible, ready-to-take-on-new-employee models.
- Facilitating large-scale skill-led recruitment that includes everyone in hiring.
For companies that are growing or scaling their fresher and early-career hiring, websites like SheWork add speed, structure and quality to the process.
Final Thoughts:
A Good Year for India’s New Tech Talents. 2026 is a strong year for new IT graduates. Amid large-scale hiring, role changes, and rising talent demand, the odds are finally tilting in favour of “job-ready” freshers.
The key is to:
- Stay informed.
- Build relevant skills.
- Apply strategically.
And select companies that take initiatives to grow far beyond the short-term. For India’s next generation of technologists, 2026 isn’t just another hiring year; it’s an opportunity to build high-impact, future-ready careers.
