Cognizant Technology Solutions said it will expand fresher recruitment in 2026, targeting 24,000 to 25,000 graduates through campus hiring. The announcement was made in February 2026 from New Delhi, as the company links AI-driven delivery models with faster entry-level project readiness.
Cognizant campus hiring 2026 will rise after the company recruited close to 20,000 fresh graduates during 2025. Many of those hires have already moved into client-facing roles, while others remain in training.
What changed in Cognizant campus hiring 2026
The company shared its updated hiring roadmap after announcing its latest quarterly results. Chief Financial Officer Jatin Dalal said Cognizant plans to raise fresher recruitment by nearly 20 percent in 2026. This increase would take the total campus intake to around 24,000 to 25,000 graduates.
He added that the company is encouraged by how quickly many fresh hires from 2025 have moved into client-facing roles. Cognizant believes this faster transition from training to project work supports a larger hiring target for next year.
Cognizant to hire 25,000 fresh graduates through
AI-linked delivery models
The company shared its updated hiring roadmap after announcing its latest quarterly results. Chief Financial Officer Jatin Dalal said Cognizant plans to raise fresher recruitment by nearly 20 percent in 2026, taking the total campus intake to around 24,000 to 25,000 graduates.
Chief Executive Officer Ravi Kumar also said partnerships with AI platforms such as OpenAI, Microsoft, Anthropic, and Gemini are helping break work into smaller tasks that junior teams can handle sooner. He explained that this approach supports a broader workforce pyramid and allows fresh graduates to contribute faster on client projects.
Impact on entry level IT jobs and productivity
Cognizant reported that revenue per employee rose about 5 percent over the past year, while profit per employee increased around 8 percent. The company added nearly 14,800 employees in 2025, expanding its workforce by roughly 4 percent.
Cognizant said hiring will continue across India and the US, with early AI skill development remaining a priority. The company linked its fresher hiring push to stronger project output while clients stay cautious on spending.
