Wipro delayed onboarding for about 250 engineering graduates in India, prompting an employee union to approach the Union labour and employment ministry on January 19, 2026. The issue matters now as fresher hiring slows across the IT sector and job offers face uncertainty.
What changed in Wipro hiring
Wipro postponed onboarding despite issuing letters of intent to selected graduates. According to NITES, candidates received confirmations covering roles, pay, and locations. However, the company did not onboard them on the promised dates.
Then, affected candidates sought updates through emails and calls. Yet, many received no response or only automated replies, the union said.
Context around the Wipro delay
The onboarding delay followed a broader hiring slowdown in India’s IT services industry. During the December quarter, the combined headcount of the top five IT firms fell by 4,541, based on company disclosures.
Meanwhile, fresher intake declined. Wipro hired about 400 freshers in the December quarter and expects around 8,000 hires for the full year, below an earlier target of 10,000.
Impact on fresh graduates
The Wipro delay has left graduates without clear timelines. NITES said no written cancellation or revised joining date has been issued so far. As a result, candidates remain unable to plan employment or alternate options.
Earlier, a similar case involved Tata Consultancy Services. Last year, onboarding for over 600 experienced professionals was delayed, prompting union intervention at the ministry level.
Supporting statements and next steps
NITES has asked the labour ministry to direct Wipro to issue written decisions. These include either confirmed onboarding timelines or formal closures with reasons. The union said this step would prevent candidates from remaining in prolonged uncertainty.
Wipro did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to Business Standard.
