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Narayana Murthy urges youth to master AI

Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, has cautioned young Indians against fearing artificial intelligence and instead encouraged them to learn and use it effectively.

Speaking about the rapid growth of AI tools, Murthy said the technology is transforming the workplace across industries. However, he stressed that AI should be seen as an opportunity rather than a threat. According to him, those who understand how to use AI wisely will improve their productivity and remain valuable in the job market.

Murthy pointed out that while automation may change certain routine tasks, it will not replace human intelligence, creativity or critical thinking. He said individuals who combine strong thinking skills with knowledge of AI tools will have an advantage. “A smarter mind using AI will produce better results,” he suggested, highlighting the importance of both intelligence and effort.

The veteran industry leader also underlined the need for continuous learning. He said young professionals must stay curious, disciplined and willing to upgrade their skills as technology evolves. Simply relying on existing qualifications may not be enough in a fast-changing environment shaped by AI.

Murthy compared the current AI shift to earlier technological revolutions such as the arrival of computers and the internet. While those developments initially raised concerns about job losses, they eventually created new industries and employment opportunities. He believes AI will follow a similar path.

His remarks come at a time when many students and young professionals are anxious about automation reducing job opportunities, especially in sectors like information technology and services. Murthy’s message is clear: instead of resisting change, young Indians should prepare themselves to work alongside AI.

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Infosys climbs 3% after AI deal with Anthropic

Shares of Infosys advanced nearly 3% after the company unveiled a strategic partnership with Anthropic to deliver next-generation artificial intelligence solutions for global clients.

The collaboration will combine Anthropic’s Claude models with Infosys’ Topaz platform and establish a specialised Centre of Excellence to build sector-focused AI applications, initially targeting telecom and later expanding into other industries.

Chief executive Salil Parekh said the move will help enterprises modernise systems, automate complex processes and adopt responsible AI at scale. The announcement strengthened investor confidence and pushed the stock among the day’s key gainers in the IT pack.

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Corporate

Infosys to recruit 20,000 freshers in FY27

Bengaluru-based IT major Infosys is gearing up for one of its largest campus recruitment drives, planning to hire 20,000 fresh graduates in the financial year 2027 (FY27). CEO Salil Parekh announced the initiative during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, emphasizing the growing demand for talent in artificial intelligence (AI)–driven services and digital transformation projects.

The company’s recruitment drive, covering April 2026 to March 2027, comes amid global tech layoffs and uncertainty in the IT sector. Despite this, Infosys has maintained strong hiring momentum, with around 18,000 freshers onboarded in the first nine months of FY26. The total fresher intake for the current fiscal is expected to reach 20,000.

Parekh explained that the surge in AI adoption by clients is creating new work opportunities, even as some traditional IT services face pressure. Companies are increasingly deploying AI agents and foundation models at scale, particularly in financial services, where Infosys is emerging as a preferred partner. “We are working on real, scalable AI projects with 15 of our 25 largest financial services clients,” Parekh noted.

He added that pricing models for AI-driven projects are still evolving, as clients balance human and AI resources. However, clearer frameworks are expected as adoption grows. Economic signals, especially from the US, are also encouraging cautious optimism for tech spending.

Infosys’s planned FY27 hiring reflects its strategy to align workforce expansion with AI-led demand, ensuring it remains competitive despite global headcount reductions in the IT industry. This move underscores the company’s focus on modernizing services and capturing opportunities in emerging technology areas.

The recruitment drive also signals confidence in India’s talent pool, with the company aiming to equip fresh graduates with AI skills and integrate them into projects that support digital transformation across sectors.

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Corporate

Infosys takes Rs 1,289 crore labour code hit in Q3

Infosys Ltd reported a one-time financial hit of Rs 1,289 crore in the third quarter of FY26 due to provisions made under India’s new labour codes, impacting its quarterly profit despite steady revenue growth.

The country’s second-largest IT services company said the charge was linked to changes required after the government notified the new labour codes in November 2025. These codes combine several existing labour laws and require companies to reassess employee-related benefits such as gratuity and leave encashment. Infosys accounted for higher gratuity liabilities arising from past service costs and revised benefit obligations, resulting in the exceptional expense.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, Infosys reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 6,654 crore, down 2.2 per cent year-on-year. On a sequential basis, profit declined more sharply due to the one-off provision. However, revenue from operations rose 8.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 45,479 crore, reflecting stable demand across key markets.

The company said its underlying business performance remained healthy. Infosys recorded strong large deal wins during the quarter, with total contract value of about $4.8 billion. Financial services, manufacturing, and energy and utilities were among the key sectors contributing to growth. Digital and artificial intelligence-led services continued to see traction as clients focused on efficiency and transformation.

Encouraged by better-than-expected execution and deal momentum, Infosys raised its revenue growth guidance for FY26. The company now expects constant currency revenue growth of 3.0–3.5 per cent for the full year, compared with its earlier forecast of 2.0–3.0 per cent.

Infosys said operating margins were impacted by the labour code provision but added that margins remain stable when the one-time cost is excluded. The company maintained its margin guidance for the year, supported by cost control measures and improved utilisation.

Management said it continues to invest in upskilling employees, especially in AI and digital technologies, to stay competitive in a changing business environment. The labour code impact is also being seen across the IT sector, as companies adjust their balance sheets to align with the new regulatory framework.

Infosys stated that the provision is a one-time adjustment and does not affect its long-term growth strategy or financial strength.

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Corporate

Infosys hikes fresher pay up to Rs 21 lakh

Infosys has significantly increased entry-level salaries for fresh graduates, offering packages of up to Rs 21 lakh per annum for specialised technology roles. The move is part of the company’s strategy to attract top talent in advanced digital and AI-related fields and positions it as a market leader in entry-level IT pay.

The company’s new salary structure is tiered to reward expertise in high-demand digital domains. Specialist Programmer L3 (Trainee) roles now offer Rs 21 lakh, L2 roles offer Rs 16 lakh, L1 roles Rs 11 lakh, and Digital Specialist Engineer positions start at Rs 7 lakh per annum. These packages are aimed at graduates from BE, BTech, ME, MTech, MCA, and integrated MSc programmes in computer science, IT, electronics, and related engineering streams.

Shaji Mathew, Infosys Group Chief Human Resources Officer, said the revised packages reflect the company’s commitment to building a workforce capable of delivering cutting-edge digital and AI solutions. “We are expanding our campus and off-campus hiring drives to bring in digitally skilled graduates under the specialist track, aligning talent acquisition with our AI-First strategy,” he added.

This revision marks a significant departure from the traditionally flat starting salaries in India’s IT sector, which often failed to keep pace with inflation or the rising demand for digital expertise. By offering differentiated pay for specialised roles, Infosys aims to attract graduates with the skills required to support its growing focus on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other emerging technologies.

The pay hike comes amid steady hiring momentum at Infosys, which onboarded around 12,000 freshers in the first half of fiscal 2025–26 and is targeting 20,000 graduates for the year. Other IT peers, including Tata Consultancy Services and HCLTech, have also introduced specialised pay tracks, but their top-tier offers remain below Infosys’s new benchmarks.

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Corporate

Infosys opens ₹18,000 crore share buyback on Nov 20

Infosys is launching its biggest-ever share buyback worth ₹18,000 crore. The company will start buying back its shares from November 20, and the window will stay open till November 26.

Infosys will buy up to 10 crore shares at a fixed price of ₹1,800 per share. This is higher than the current market price, so some investors may choose to sell their shares back to the company.

Shareholders who held Infosys shares on the record date, November 14, are eligible to take part. Small shareholders (those holding shares worth up to ₹2 lakh) have a separate reserved quota.

To participate, investors must tender their shares through their broker on NSE or BSE. Those holding physical share certificates must send the required documents to the registrar, KFin Technologies, before the deadline.

Infosys says the buyback is part of its plan to return extra cash to shareholders. Promoters, including Nandan Nilekani and Sudha Murty, will not sell their shares in this buyback.

The company will complete payments to those whose shares are accepted by December 3.

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Corporate

Infosys Sets Nov 14 Record Date for ₹18,000 Cr Buyback

Infosys Ltd has fixed November 14, 2025, as the record date for its ₹18,000-crore share buyback, marking one of the largest capital-return exercises in the company’s history.

In a stock exchange filing, the Bengaluru-based IT major said it would buy back up to 10 crore fully paid-up equity shares of face value ₹5 each at a price of ₹1,800 per share through the open market route. The buyback amount represents around 2.41 percent of Infosys’ total paid-up equity capital.

Approved by the board on September 11, the buyback aims to optimise the company’s capital structure, improve return ratios, and reward shareholders. The programme is expected to be completed over the next few months, subject to regulatory clearances.

Notably, Infosys’ promoters and promoter group, who hold approximately 13.05 percent of the company’s equity, have chosen not to participate in the buyback. Market analysts see this as a sign of management’s confidence in the company’s long-term growth prospects.

This is Infosys’ fifth buyback since 2017, and the largest by value. The company last conducted a ₹9,300-crore buyback in 2022 at ₹1,850 per share.

Infosys said the move reflects its commitment to returning surplus cash to shareholders while maintaining a strong balance sheet. The announcement came amid steady demand for digital transformation services and stable margins in the IT sector.

Shares of Infosys traded slightly higher after the announcement, with analysts noting that the buyback could help improve earnings per share and support valuations in the medium term.

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