Every year, lakhs of engineering graduates aim for:

• TCS
• Infosys
• Wipro
• HCL

But after layoffs and hiring slowdowns in recent years, freshers are asking:

👉 Are TCS and Infosys hiring in 2026?
👉 What salary can freshers expect?
👉 Is joining a service company still worth it?

Let’s break it down clearly.

1️⃣ Are TCS and Infosys Hiring in 2026?

Yes — but structured.

Large IT service companies operate differently from startups.

They hire through:

✔ Campus drives
✔ National Qualifier Tests (NQT)
✔ Off-campus pooled drives
✔ Digital / Prime roles

Hiring volume depends on:

• Client demand
• Global contracts
• US/Europe market health

Mass hiring during 2020–2022 slowed.
But structured hiring continues.

2️⃣ TCS Fresher Salary in 2026

TCS typically offers multiple bands:

TCS Ninja

₹3.3 – ₹3.6 LPA

TCS Digital

₹7 – ₹7.5 LPA

TCS Prime (Advanced roles)

₹9 – ₹11 LPA (role dependent)

Salary depends on:

• Coding test performance
• Interview rounds
• Skill depth

Majority freshers fall in Ninja band.

3️⃣ Infosys Fresher Salary in 2026

Infosys hiring structure includes:

Systems Engineer

₹3.6 – ₹4 LPA

Specialist Programmer

₹6 – ₹9 LPA

Digital Specialist Engineer

₹8 – ₹10+ LPA

Higher packages require:

• Strong coding
• Good DSA
• Strong communication

Most candidates receive entry-level band.

4️⃣ Why Packages Look Low Compared to Startups

Service companies:

• Hire in bulk
• Train internally
• Deploy to client projects
• Focus on stability

Product companies:

• Hire selectively
• Demand strong DSA
• Offer higher CTC

So comparison must consider:

Stability vs High Growth.

5️⃣ Is ₹3–4 LPA Still Worth It in 2026?

It depends on your situation.

For tier-2/3 college graduates:

Yes — it provides:

✔ Industry exposure
✔ Real project experience
✔ Brand value
✔ Work experience for switch

But if you have strong skills:

You can target:

• Product companies
• Startups
• Higher package roles

Service companies are a stepping stone, not destination.

6️⃣ Hiring Trends in 2026

After correction phase:

• Companies hiring more cautiously
• Skill-based filtering increased
• Training cycles adjusted

Freshers must now show:

✔ Coding skill
✔ Communication
✔ Adaptability

Mass intake with minimal filtering is reduced.

7️⃣ How to Get Higher Band (Digital/Prime)

Most freshers don’t attempt higher bands seriously.

To qualify:

✔ Strong DSA
✔ Problem-solving speed
✔ Clean coding
✔ Clear communication
✔ SQL basics

Preparation must start 3–6 months before campus drives.

8️⃣ Career Growth After Joining TCS / Infosys

Year 0–2:
₹3.5 – ₹5 LPA

Year 2–4 (switch or promotion):
₹6 – ₹12 LPA

Year 4–6:
₹12 – ₹20 LPA (if skill upgraded)

Many engineers use first 2 years to:

• Gain experience
• Build real skills
• Switch to product companies

Smart switching increases salary faster.

9️⃣ Comparison: Service vs Product (2026)

Factor	Service Company	Product Company
Entry Salary	Lower	Higher
Hiring Volume	High	Low
Skill Demand	Moderate	High
Stability	High	Medium
Learning Pace	Depends on project	Faster

Choose based on skill level.

🔟 Should You Target TCS/Infosys in 2026?

Yes — if:

✔ You want stable entry
✔ You need experience
✔ You’re from non-top-tier college

No — if:

✔ You already have strong projects
✔ You can crack product company interviews
✔ You aim for ₹10+ LPA immediately

Know your level honestly.