Dipping Headcount

TCS's employee strength plunges to a 14-quarter low, but its attrition rate has stabilised significantly

- By SAMREEN WANI

TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES (TCS) has reported a sharp contraction in its employee base for Q2FY26, with its total headcount plunging to the lowest level in 14 quarters. This significant workforce reduction is coupled with a moderation of attrition rates.

The total employee base stood at 593,314 employees at the close of Q2FY26, according to the latest data from TCS’s quarterly results. This represents a steep sequential decline of nearly 20,000 personnel from the preceding quarter’s figure of 613,069. The headcount is now at a level not seen since Q4FY22 (592,195), reflecting the deepest quarterly net reduction in recent company history.