Listen to this Post
Introduction: A Glimpse into Infosys’ Strategic Workforce Decisions
India’s IT powerhouse, Infosys, has made headlines again—this time for letting go of a batch of trainees at its Mysuru campus. The move, though seemingly routine, may signal deeper changes within the Indian IT ecosystem. With a stricter enforcement of training benchmarks and a reworked hybrid work model, Infosys is subtly repositioning its workforce strategy in response to evolving business demands and economic headwinds. This article delves into the recent layoffs, policy changes, and what these developments could mean for both the company and the broader tech industry.
Infosys Lays Off Trainees After Failed Evaluations, Enforces Office Return
Infosys has laid off between 30 to 45 trainees from its Mysuru campus as of March 26, 2025, according to a report by MoneyControl. These terminations follow a similar instance earlier in February when nearly 400 trainees were let go after failing their evaluation tests three times consecutively. Affected employees were notified via email that they had not met the qualifying standards for the “Foundation Skills Training Program,” despite being provided with mock assessments, extra study time, and doubt-clearing sessions.
In an attempt to support those affected, Infosys has offered an alternative path—specifically a 12-week training program for roles within Infosys Business Process Management (BPM). This reskilling initiative is fully sponsored by Infosys. For those not interested in the BPM route, Infosys is offering logistical support, including transportation from Mysuru to Bangalore and travel allowances for their return home. Temporary accommodation is also available at the Mysuru Employee Care Centre until their departure.
Additionally, the company has rolled out a firm policy regarding its hybrid work model. Effective March 10, 2025, Infosys employees are required to work from the office for a minimum of 10 days each month. To enforce this, new system interventions will limit the number of work-from-home days that can be requested. The policy reinforces the company’s commitment to hybrid operations while maintaining employee flexibility.
This new measure reflects a broader industry shift toward restoring in-person collaboration and managing productivity more tightly. Infosys’ internal communication cited “business requirements” as a driving factor behind this change, indicating a more output-driven approach to remote work scheduling.
What Undercode Say:
Infosys’ latest round of trainee terminations is more than just a localized HR action—it reflects a tightening of standards that mirrors the larger currents in India’s tech landscape. As margins shrink and client expectations rise globally, companies are under pressure to demonstrate sharper workforce efficiency, productivity, and readiness. The fact that multiple chances were offered before the layoffs suggests that Infosys was trying to give the trainees every opportunity to succeed—but ultimately chose quality over quantity.
The introduction of a BPM training program as an alternative is an interesting move. It not only mitigates the reputational damage of abrupt layoffs but also offers a lifeline for trainees to remain within the organization in a different capacity. Infosys likely recognizes that BPM, often seen as less prestigious than core IT roles, still plays a vital part in maintaining operational profitability—especially during times of slowing global demand.
On the return-to-office policy, Infosys’ 10-day mandate echoes the global shift where companies are clawing back some in-person time after the all-remote pandemic era. This measured hybrid strategy attempts to balance business needs with employee autonomy. However, the introduction of “system interventions” could backfire if employees perceive this as micromanagement or a lack of trust.
Infosys appears to be navigating the post-pandemic corporate environment by tightening slack where necessary and reinforcing internal discipline. It’s a move aimed at preserving corporate culture, improving deliverables, and reducing operational inefficiencies. For freshers, however, this paints a sobering picture. Getting a job offer is no longer enough—meeting rigorous performance benchmarks from Day 1 has become non-negotiable.
Moreover, the fact that two waves of layoffs happened within such a short span raises questions about the effectiveness of Infosys’ recruitment and training pipeline. Are they onboarding too many underprepared candidates? Or is the bar being raised too high, too fast? It may also point to a shift in strategy—invest more in fewer, higher-performing trainees than casting a wide net.
In the broader context, Infosys’ actions may be a precursor of what’s to come for other IT giants. With increasing automation, generative AI adoption, and client cost-cutting, companies might start trimming their entry-level intake in favor of reskilling or upskilling existing talent.
Infosys’ recent moves are not just corporate decisions—they are strategic recalibrations for the post-AI, post-pandemic economy. It’s a cautionary tale for new graduates and a wake-up call for training institutions.
🔍 Fact Checker Results
✅ Infosys did lay off 30–45 trainees at Mysuru campus on March 26, 2025, as reported by MoneyControl.
✅ The trainees were dismissed after failing their evaluation tests thrice, even after remedial support.
✅ Infosys is offering alternative BPM training and travel/accommodation support for the affected trainees.
📊 Prediction
Expect other major Indian IT firms to follow suit with similar performance-based weeding processes. As AI and automation continue to reshape job roles, especially in coding and testing, companies will increasingly prioritize upskilling and hybrid workplace discipline over mass hiring. The entry-level IT job market is set to become more competitive, and training success will soon become a stronger determinant of career viability than hiring itself.
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Extra Source Hub:
https://www.github.com
Wikipedia
OpenAi & Undercode AI
Image Source:
Unsplash
Undercode AI DI v2
