Last updated: 27 October 2026
Cognizant is doing two things in 2026 that sound contradictory: cutting between 12,000 and 15,000 jobs, mostly in India, and hiring about 25,000 freshers. The reason is a change in how IT services firms staff projects. Here is what is happening and what it means for you.
Cognizant layoffs timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 6 Feb 2026 | CFO Jatin Dalal said Cognizant plans to hire 24,000 to 25,000 freshers in 2026, about 20% more than in 2025. |
| 29 Apr 2026 | Q1 results: Project Leap restructuring announced, with $230 million to $320 million in 2026 costs, including $200 million to $270 million for severance. |
| 5–6 May 2026 | Moneycontrol reported 12,000 to 15,000 job cuts globally, most in India. |
| 29 Jul 2026 | Q2 results: $84 million of Project Leap charges, including $56 million for employee separation. Headcount 356,700. |
What it means for India
India has more than 250,000 of Cognizant's roughly 357,000 employees, so most cuts are expected there. Estimates of 12,000 to 13,000 India jobs come from the severance budget, not from the company.
The reason given: clients are moving away from the traditional "pyramid" model, with many juniors under a few seniors. CEO Ravi Kumar describes a "broader and shorter pyramid" that mixes AI tools with people. That hits mid-level roles hardest.
Is Cognizant still hiring?
Yes, especially freshers. The plan to hire about 25,000 freshers in 2026 has not been revised publicly. See our Cognizant off campus drive 2026 and Cognizant interview questions guides. Q3 results, due in late October, may update these numbers.
Severance: what has been reported
Moneycontrol and Business Today estimate about six months' pay per person in India. Cognizant has not confirmed this.
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Say hi to Day on WhatsAppHow Day works →If you are affected: what to do this week
- Read the separation letter carefully before signing. Check your last working day, severance, notice pay and leave encashment.
- Ask for your full and final settlement timeline in writing, plus your relieving and experience letters.
- Check your gratuity if you have close to 5 years of service. Our gratuity calculator shows what you are owed.
- Move or keep your PF; do not withdraw it in a hurry. You can transfer it to your next employer.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn the same week. Run your resume through a free ATS check.
- Tell your network. Referrals still move faster than cold applications.
We track every major round in our India layoffs tracker 2026. Numbers marked "reported" come from news outlets and have not been confirmed by the company.
FAQs
Is Cognizant laying off employees in 2026?
Yes. Moneycontrol reported 12,000 to 15,000 job cuts under Project Leap, mostly in India.
What is Cognizant Project Leap?
A 2026 restructuring with $230 million to $320 million in costs, mostly severance.
How much severance is Cognizant giving?
About six months' pay per person in India has been reported, but not confirmed.
Is Cognizant still hiring freshers?
Yes. It plans to hire 24,000 to 25,000 freshers in 2026.
Why is Cognizant laying off mid-level staff?
Clients are moving away from the pyramid staffing model, and AI is changing how projects are staffed.
