Indian IT’s Big Five face $500 million labour code hit to profitability
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. India’s new labour codes eroded the profits of India’s five largest information technology (IT) services companies in the December quarter as they recorded ₹4,645 crore ($500 million) in upfront costs as higher contributions to employees' retirement benefits. The country’s largest software services provider Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) incurred incremental costs of $238 million, while second-placed Infosys Ltd disclosed a $143 million impact, according to their quarterly earnings disclosures.
HCL Technologies Ltd ($109 million), Wipro Ltd ($33.3 million), and Tech Mahindra Ltd ($30 million) followed. Together, the Big Five employ more than 1.5 million people, making the sector one of the largest formal sector employers in the country. In November last year, the Indian government implemented labour codes, which mandate that basic pay for employees account for at least 50% of total compensation, raising statutory payouts such as provident fund and gratuity.
The requirement lopped off 260-320 basis points from their profitability in the October-December 2025 period, with TCS facing the biggest hit. One basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point. TCS, Infosys, HCLTech, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra reported operating margins of 25.2%, 18.6%, 18.4%, 17.6%, and 13.1%, respectively, during the quarter.
TCS’s management said the costs were not recurring. "On the labour code, we don't expect (any future impact on profitability) unless the rules give more clarity. And there's something else which needs to be (considered) because currently, the rules came into effect and the guidance came towards the end of December, we have made an assessment and done it, and we'll we'll call it out if
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