TCS in 2025:
Navigating New Policies, Employee Benefits, and the Future for Freshers
Tata Consultancy
Services (TCS), a titan of the Indian IT industry, is currently undergoing a
significant transformation. As the company adapts to a post-pandemic world and
the evolving demands of the global tech market, it has introduced a series of
new policies that are reshaping its work culture. For current employees,
aspiring freshers, and industry observers, understanding these changes is
crucial.
This blog post dives
deep into the latest developments at TCS, covering its new policies, employee
benefits, employment outlook, opportunities for freshers, and the company's
future direction.
The New Policies: A
Shift Towards Accountability and On-Site Work
The most talked-about
change at TCS in 2025 is its new deployment policy, which signals a major shift
in how the company manages its workforce.
The 35-Day Bench
Limit
Effective June 2025,
TCS implemented a stricter policy regarding employees who are "on the
bench"—meaning they are between projects and not currently assigned to a
billable client. The key elements of this new policy are:
- Mandatory Billable Days: Employees are now
required to be allocated to projects for a minimum of 225 business days
within a 12-month period.
- Reduced Bench Time: This new requirement
effectively limits the time an employee can spend on the bench to a
maximum of 35 business days per year.
- Employee Responsibility: The policy places
the primary responsibility on unallocated employees to proactively find
new projects by engaging with the company's Resource Management Group
(RMG).
- Consequences for Non-Compliance: The
internal policy document states that extended periods on the bench can
negatively impact compensation, career growth, opportunities for overseas
assignments, and even "continuity of employment".
Mandatory
Upskilling and Return to Office
Alongside the new
bench policy, TCS has reinforced its return-to-office stance. Remote
work is generally not permitted for employees on the bench, who are expected to
be present in the office. During this time, they must dedicate 4-6 hours daily
to mandatory upskilling on internal platforms like iEvolve and Fresco Play to
remain "deployment-ready". These moves have been interpreted by some
as a push to increase productivity and accountability across the workforce.
Employee Benefits:
A Comprehensive Package
Despite the stricter
operational policies, TCS continues to offer a robust package of employee
benefits, reflecting its commitment to employee welfare.
- Health and Wellness: TCS provides a
comprehensive health insurance scheme that allows for cashless treatment
and covers hospital charges up to ₹12 lakh per year. Employees can also
reimburse doctor's consultation fees up to ₹6,000 annually.
- Learning and Development: A significant
perk is the free access to numerous learning platforms, including Udemy,
LinkedIn Learning, and TCS's proprietary Fresco Play, enabling continuous
skill enhancement.
- Leave Policies: The company offers
generous leave options, including a sabbatical policy that allows
employees to take up to 730 days (2 years) of unpaid leave for higher
education or maternity, while still receiving health insurance benefits.
- Tata Group Ecosystem Offers: As part of
the Tata Group, employees receive exclusive discounts on a wide range of
products and services, including vehicles from Tata Motors, electronics
from Croma, and deals at Starbucks and Titan Eye Plus.
- Job Security and Mobility: Historically,
TCS has been known for its job security, with a reputation for avoiding
mass layoffs for cost-cutting. The company also facilitates internal
transfers, allowing employees to request relocation to other branches
across India, depending on project availability.
Employment and the
Future for Freshers
TCS remains one of the
largest recruiters in the Indian IT sector, and while the hiring landscape is
competitive, opportunities for freshers are still significant.
Hiring Process for
Freshers
For 2025 graduates,
the primary gateway into TCS is the TCS National Qualifier Test (NQT).
This standardized test evaluates candidates on numerical, logical, and verbal
abilities, as well as domain-specific knowledge for technical roles. The
process typically involves:
- Application: Registering on the TCS Next
Step Portal.
- TCS NQT Assessment: Clearing the test,
which has Foundation and Advanced sections.
- Interviews: Successfully navigating
technical and HR interview rounds.
TCS continues to hire
for its Business Process Services (BPS) wing, targeting arts and commerce
graduates for various entry-level roles.
What Freshers Can
Expect
Freshers joining TCS
can expect a starting salary package in the range of ₹3.6 to ₹7 LPA,
depending on their NQT performance and the role they are offered (e.g., Prime,
Digital, or Ninja). The new policies emphasize the importance of being
proactive and continuously upskilling from day one.
The Future of TCS:
AI-Powered and Client-Focused
Looking ahead, TCS is
positioning itself to lead in the age of Artificial Intelligence. The company
is heavily investing in AI and cloud technologies, not just for its
clients but also for internal upskilling. The emphasis on continuous learning
and the use of tools like the Gen AI interview coach are clear indicators of
this strategy.
The company's
leadership has highlighted a strong start to the fiscal year 2025, with
broad-based growth driven by a robust order book and a focus on delivering
transformation projects for global clients. The future at TCS will likely be
defined by:
- A Hybrid Workforce Model: Balancing
on-site collaboration with remote work flexibility where project demands
allow.
- AI Integration: Leveraging AI to enhance
service delivery and create new solutions.
- A Highly Skilled Workforce: An intense
focus on upskilling employees to meet the demands of next-generation
technologies.
In conclusion, while TCS's new policies represent a more demanding work environment focused on accountability, the company continues to provide strong benefits and significant career opportunities, especially for freshers willing to be proactive and adaptable.