Infosys Mass Layoffs: 400 Freshers Fired Amid Internal Assessment Controversy

Ruthless Firings at Infosys

Infosys, India’s second-largest IT services corporation, is facing intense backlash for its recent large-scale terminations at its Mysuru facility, where approximately 400 entry-level employees were abruptly dismissed after failing internal evaluations. Many of these recruits had been in limbo for over two and a half years after receiving their job offers, only to be ousted within months of onboarding. Notably, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy continues to champion a grueling 70-hour work week for young professionals in India, underscoring the double standards within the IT sector regarding employee welfare.

Sudden Terminations at Mysuru Campus

On February 7, 2025, fresh recruits undergoing training at Infosys’ Mysuru center were summoned in groups, handed dismissal letters, and ordered to vacate the premises by 6 PM the same day. Many trainees pleaded for an extension, with some breaking down in distress, but the company remained unmoved. The abrupt layoffs left hundreds scrambling for last-minute transportation back to their hometowns, uncertain about how to explain their sudden unemployment to their families.

The large-scale terminations appeared to be conducted in secrecy. Reports indicate that dismissed employees were gathered in a secluded area monitored by security personnel and bouncers, while buses were strategically placed to block the view from other staff and visiting international clients. Additionally, Infosys had reportedly warned trainees in advance via email to maintain discretion about the proceedings.

The distress was compounded by the fact that many of those laid off had spent years preparing for this opportunity. Infosys had extended job offers as early as 2022 but postponed onboarding due to economic downturns. Once training finally commenced, the company introduced a drastically altered curriculum with unreasonable expectations. The failure rate surged as the coursework expanded while the time allotted for completion was drastically reduced. Trainees alleged that the assessments were intentionally structured to fail a significant number of them.

Infosys defended the dismissals, citing its long-standing policy requiring fresh hires to clear internal assessments within three attempts. However, reports suggest that the 2024 cohort faced a significantly tougher evaluation system than their predecessors, making success nearly unattainable for many. Previously, those who failed could still progress to the next training phase, but under the revised system, termination was immediate.

Industry-Wide Criticism and Demand for Accountability

Infosys’ mass firings have ignited widespread outrage among IT professionals and labor rights advocates. The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), a union representing IT employees, has denounced the company for its unethical treatment of workers. The organization has accused Infosys of coercing terminated employees into signing non-disclosure agreements, silencing them from speaking out.

Allegations have also surfaced that security personnel and bouncers were deployed to intimidate the trainees. Some reports indicate that affected employees were even prevented from using their mobile phones, cutting off their access to external assistance. In response, NITES has vowed to escalate the issue to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, urging the government to hold Infosys accountable for its treatment of new hires.

Meanwhile, thousands of trainees still in the training phase at Infosys fear they may be next. Over 4,500 recruits remain in uncertainty, anxious about whether they will pass the company’s newly intensified evaluation process.

Infosys’ treatment of fresh hires highlights a troubling trend in India’s IT industry—employees are valued only when business is booming and discarded when expectations shift. The same corporations that pride themselves on a “high-performance culture” and “rigorous training” conveniently ignore their role in imposing unrealistic workloads on recruits.

Narayana Murthy’s 70-Hour Work Week Advocacy Amid Layoffs

While Infosys systematically eliminates new hires after prolonged delays in onboarding, its co-founder Narayana Murthy continues to advocate for extreme work hours. Murthy has repeatedly called on young Indians to dedicate 70-hour work weeks, arguing that relentless effort is the key to national economic progress.

His perspective disregards the reality of India’s job market, where IT professionals face mounting job instability. Murthy has also contended that government intervention in corporate affairs should be minimized, despite Infosys benefiting from India’s economic policies for decades. His stance exposes a stark contradiction—while he demands unwavering dedication from young employees, his own company shows no hesitation in dismissing them without warning or support.

His argument that India should emulate China’s work culture is also flawed upon closer examination. Research indicates that longer working hours do not necessarily translate to higher economic growth. Countries with robust labor protections and a healthy work-life balance frequently outperform nations that impose excessive workloads. Murthy’s insistence on grueling work schedules fails to address the fundamental problems in India’s employment sector, including mass layoffs like those at Infosys.