HCLTech’s employee attrition rate edged up to 12.8% in the September quarter of FY27, even as the IT services major expanded its workforce by 6,450 employees. The company ended the quarter with 2,30,339 employees, reflecting a renewed hiring push after reducing its headcount in the previous quarter.
The latest figures highlight how India’s IT services companies are balancing recruitment, employee retention and the growing demand for specialised artificial intelligence skills.
HCLTech Adds 6,450 Employees in September Quarter
HCLTech’s total workforce increased from 2,23,889 employees at the end of the June quarter to 2,30,339 as of September 30, 2026.
The net addition of 6,450 employees marked a significant reversal from the previous quarter, when the company reported a reduction of 3,292 employees.
A major contributor to the workforce expansion was fresher recruitment. HCLTech hired 6,136 fresh graduates during Q2 FY27, compared with 1,056 in the preceding quarter and 5,196 in the corresponding period last year.
The increased intake suggests that the company continues to invest in developing entry-level talent while preparing its workforce for changing technology requirements.
Attrition Increases Marginally to 12.8%
HCLTech’s voluntary attrition rate, measured on a last-twelve-month basis, rose to 12.8% in Q2 FY27 from 12.7% in the previous quarter. The rate stood at 12.6% in the same quarter of FY26.
The increase was marginal, but employee retention remains an important consideration for IT services companies as they compete for experienced engineers and specialised technology professionals.
Attrition measures employees voluntarily leaving an organisation over a defined period. It does not, by itself, indicate that a company is facing widespread layoffs or that its overall workforce is shrinking.
HCLTech’s latest numbers show that recruitment exceeded employee departures during the quarter, resulting in an increase in total headcount.
Freshers to Be Trained for AI Engineering Roles
HCLTech is placing greater emphasis on developing forward-deployed engineers (FDEs), professionals who combine AI engineering with customer discovery, solution design and rapid prototyping.
Around 15% of the freshers hired during the September quarter belonged to the company’s elite engineer category. These recruits are expected to receive specialised training to prepare them for FDE roles.
The company is also working with Microsoft on an FDE programme and collaborating with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on applied research focused on the safety of agentic AI systems.
These initiatives reflect the growing importance of combining technical expertise with the ability to deploy AI solutions in real business environments.
Revenue Per Employee Stands at $65,400
HCLTech reported annualised revenue per employee of $65,400 in Q2 FY27, slightly below the $65,500 recorded in the previous quarter. However, the figure was higher than the $63,900 reported in Q2 FY26.
The metric provides an indication of revenue generated relative to workforce size, although it does not independently measure employee productivity or profitability.
The company expects margin pressures in the coming quarters, including an estimated 80-basis-point impact in Q3 and a 60-basis-point impact in Q4. Management said these impacts were already factored into its margin guidance.
What the Numbers Mean for HCLTech
HCLTech’s latest workforce figures show a combination of increased hiring, a modest rise in attrition and a stronger focus on AI-related skills.
The company is expanding its talent base while preparing employees for roles that involve implementing AI systems and solving more complex customer problems.
The coming quarters will indicate whether this recruitment momentum continues and whether investments in specialised talent translate into stronger business performance.
Summary
HCLTech’s voluntary attrition rate rose to 12.8% in Q2 FY27 from 12.7% in the previous quarter. The company added 6,450 employees, taking its total workforce to 2,30,339. It hired 6,136 freshers during the quarter, with around 15% entering its elite engineer category for specialised training. Revenue per employee reached $65,400 on an annualised basis, up year-on-year but slightly lower sequentially.
