Latest news with #AshwinYardi
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Capgemini India to hire up to 45,000 in 2025; focus on AI-ready workforce
Amid growing concerns around information technology (IT) sector hiring, Capgemini India has announced plans to recruit between 40,000 and 45,000 employees this year. CEO Ashwin Yardi told the Hindu Business Line that around 35% to 40% of these will be lateral which currently employs around 175,000 people in India, is seeing a steady rise in work being routed to the country. Clients are looking to cut costs and improve efficiency, making India an increasingly attractive delivery base. Yardi said this demand is expected to contribute positively to the company's overall revenue support hiring, the Indian arm of the French IT services company has partnered with over 50 colleges and campuses, and recruitment for the current season is already underway. A key focus for new recruits will be early training in artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring that fresh talent is well-prepared for today's evolving AI hiring announcement from Capgemini comes soon after Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) revealed its plans to lay off around 2% of its global workforce , or roughly over 12,000 employees, over the contrast, Infosys CEO Salil Parekh confirmed the company's intent to expand its workforce : 'We recruited over 17,000 people (gross hiring) in the first quarter and plan to bring in about 20,000 college graduates this year,' he told The Times of last month, Capgemini announced a $3.3 billion acquisition of business process outsourcing (BPO) firm WNS , a move aimed at combining strengths to meet the growing enterprise demand for advanced, automated services. However, some analysts have raised concerns about how AI might impact the traditional BPO model, potentially affecting long-term revenue from that this, Capgemini expects the WNS deal to boost earnings relatively quickly. The firm is projecting a 4% rise in earnings per share (EPS) by 2026 and 7% the year said, the broader business outlook remains cautious. According to a recent Reuters report, Capgemini has narrowed its full-year revenue guidance due to soft demand and global economic uncertainty. The company now expects growth in the range of -1% to +1%, compared to its earlier forecast of -2% to +2%.Capgemini also reported a 15% year-on-year (YoY) drop in its first-half operating profit, falling to €976 million.
India Today
02-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
From Infosys to Akasa: Work-life balance dialogue continues
When Infosys, one of India's IT behemoths, recently sent an internal advisory urging employees not to overwork and to maintain a "balanced work-life schedule," the move surprised many, especially given the contrasting views held by its own founder. Just months earlier, Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy had made headlines advocating a 70-hour workweek to boost India's productivity. His remark stirred intense debate in India Inc and beyond, pitting old-school hustle culture against a growing wave of wellness-first corporate as workplaces evolve in a post-pandemic, hybrid-working world, leaders across industries from tech and aviation to FMCG and consulting are redefining the boundaries of what work-life balance should truly mean. Here's a deep dive into what top CEOs are saying, and how their words are reshaping workplace cultures MURTHY, FOUNDER, INFOSYS - "70 HOURS A WEEK"In October 2023, Narayana Murthy stirred a national debate by saying young Indians should work 70 hours a week to lift the country's productivity levels. "India's work productivity is one of the lowest in the world. My request is that our youngsters must say, 'This is my country. I want to work 70 hours a week.'"- Narayana Murthy While some entrepreneurs praised his "discipline-first" stance, others called it tone-deaf in an era of rising burnout and mental health MANAGEMENT - "MIND YOUR HEALTH"advertisementContrary to Murthy's stance, Infosys itself recently issued a wellness advisory to employees urging them to avoid long hours and "maintain a balanced work-life schedule.""Please ensure your total work time does not exceed 9.15 hours per day Your health is important."- Infosys internal note, May 2025 The company also flagged that many employees were logging extra hours while working from home, pushing leaders to re-emphasize health and sustainable YARDI, CEO, CAPGEMINI INDIA - "LET'S NOT EMAIL ON WEEKENDS"In a bold and refreshing stance, Ashwin Yardi urged Capgemini's workforce to keep their workweek within 47.5 hours around 9.5 hours per day and avoid sending emails on weekends."Let's not glorify overwork. We must respect personal time and create a culture where people don't feel the need to prove productivity by long hours."- Ashwin Yardi, in an internal memo .Capgemini's move was widely appreciated for fostering a culture of respect, discipline, and boundaries, all while meeting performance expectations. VINAY DUBE, CEO, AKASA AIR - "IF I'M NOT DOING 70-HOUR WEEKS, WHY SHOULD THEY?"Vinay Dube delivered one of the most humanistic takes on the debate, rejecting the glorification of grind culture. Speaking at a conference, he said:"I don't work 70 hours a week myself, so I don't expect youngsters to. We must lead by example, not exhaustion."- Vinay Dube at India Economic Conclave advertisementHis comments resonated deeply with Gen Z and millennials who are increasingly prioritizing flexibility and fulfilment over traditional definitions of success. SINDHU GANGADHARAN, MD, SAP LABS INDIA - "OUTCOMES, NOT HOURS"The head of SAP Labs India and Chairperson of Nasscom, Sindhu Gangadharan, weighed in with a balanced view, advocating outcome-based work instead of time-clocked performance."We should be moving from inputs to outcomes. What matters is what gets done, not how many hours you sit in front of a screen."- Sindhu Gangadharan at an industry panel discussionSAUGATA GUPTA, CEO, MARICO - "BALANCE IS KEY"Saugata Gupta offered a more nuanced take, accepting that leadership sometimes requires odd hours, but emphasized that employees shouldn't be expected to follow suit."As leaders, we may have to work late sometimes, but it's our job to create an environment where our teams can switch off."- Saugata Gupta in media interactions S.N. SUBRAHMANYAN, CEO, LARSEN & TOUBRO - "WORK 12 HOURS A DAY"advertisementOn the other end of the spectrum, S.N. Subrahmanyan said Indian workers should be clocking 84 to 90 hours a week, including Sundays, to compete globally."The young must work 12 hours a day for six days a week. That's the only way to build the country."- S.N. Subrahmanyan quoted in Financial TimesHis comments attracted sharp criticism and triggered widespread debates on toxic hustle culture, particularly in the engineering and infrastructure sectors.A CULTURAL RESET IN PROGRESSFrom Infosys's U-turn to Capgemini's weekend email embargo, corporate India is slowly shifting toward a healthier relationship with work. While titans like Murthy and Subrahmanyan still see long hours as essential for national progress, many modern CEOs are proving that productivity need not come at the cost of well-being. In the end, the debate isn't about 70-hour weeks or 9-to-5 shifts, it's about trusting employees, measuring impact, and respecting human limits. The narrative is evolving, and so are the expectations, from both leadership and the workforce.- Ends
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Capgemini to support growth of professional rugby in India
Capgemini has been named transformation partner for India's first Rugby Premier League. In collaboration with Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and GMR Sports, Capgemini would help shape the Rugby Premier League, ushering in a new era for professional rugby in India, the company said on Wednesday. The GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL) would be played in a Rugby 7s format and as the official transformation partner, Capgemini would help to enhance player performance, uplift players' social and sports profiles, and increase grassroots participation in rugby. Capgemini's association with rugby spans over 30 years globally, and this new collaboration with GMR RPL is an extension of its previous India engagement, as the associate sponsor for the Rugby 7s Women & Girls and the Rugby 7s Men & Boys teams, as per a company communique. Ashwin Yardi, CEO of Capgemini in India, said, 'Sports is a key pillar of our global engagement and our partnership with IRFU and GMR sports for RPL has further strengthened our commitment to inclusion on and off the field. We aim to make rugby in India more inclusive and accessible, supporting player development from grassroots to the professional level.'
Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Capgemini named transformation partner for India's first Rugby Premier League
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 11: Capgemini today announced the extension of its association with IRFU by becoming the transformation partner for the first ever league-based, owned rugby franchise. The GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL) will be played in a Rugby 7s format. As the official transformation partner, Capgemini will help to enhance player performance, uplift players' social and sports profiles, and increase grassroots participation in rugby. Rugby has seen a steady growth in participation and awareness in India, and it now takes a bold leap with the introduction of GMR RPL, making it among the top five sports for India's youth. Capgemini's association with rugby spans over 30 years globally, and this new collaboration with GMR RPL is an extension of its previous India engagement, as the associate sponsor for the Rugby 7s Women & Girls and the Rugby 7s Men & Boys teams. Further strengthening its India rugby footprint, Capgemini has also renewed its three-year partnership with IRFU to support both Rugby 15s and 7s. Together, these initiatives reflect Capgemini's enduring dedication to advancing rugby at both grassroots and elite levels--locally and internationally. Commenting on the extended partnership, Ashwin Yardi, CEO of Capgemini in India, said, "Capgemini's association with rugby is deeply rooted in our driving principles - team spirit, bold thinking, leadership, innovation, and a genuine sense of enjoyment. Sports is a key pillar of our global engagement and our partnership with IRFU and GMR sports for RPL has further strengthened our commitment to inclusion on and off the field. We aim to make rugby in India more inclusive and accessible, supporting player development from grassroots to the professional level." Rahul Bose, President, IRFU, said, "We are proud to mark this historic step for Indian rugby with a partner that shares our long-term vision. Capgemini's commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and performance will enable us to grow the game sustainably - from grassroots engagement to elite competition - while strengthening the values at the heart of the sport. With the start of the GMR RPL, their expertise and values-driven approach will be instrumental in helping us shape a modern, inclusive, and competitive future for the sport." Satyam Trivedi, CEO, GMR Sports, added, "The GMR RPL represents a crucial milestone in our efforts to enhance the status of rugby in India. With Capgemini joining, the sport takes a major leap forward in reimagining how it can be positioned, watched, and experienced in India. This alliance symbolizes the perfect blend of tradition and innovation to grow the sport, enhance performance, and bring fans closer to the action than ever before." Inspired by its late founder, a passionate rugby enthusiast and player, rugby holds a special place in the history of the Group. Capgemini has sponsored World Rugby and some of its major men's (Rugby World Cup 2007 and 2023) and women's international competitions (Rugby World Cup 2021), as well as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Capgemini is also a Principal Partner of Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. The Group plays a pivotal role in advancing inclusivity in the sport as a Global Partner of the Women in Rugby initiative and supporting the Women in Rugby Leadership Programme, which aims to empower women through leadership and expand the reach of the women's game globally. The inaugural season of the GMR RPL will be held in India in June 2025. In the first tournament of its kind in the country, GMR RPL will feature some of the world's finest rugby stars from every major sevens playing nation, alongside India's talent. GMR RPL will broadcast live on JioHotstar and STAR SPORTS in India and can be viewed online on RugbyPass TV as well. About Capgemini Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of EUR22.1 billion. Capgemini in India comprises nearly 175,000 team members working across 13 locations: Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida, Pune, Salem, and Tiruchirappalli. Get The Future You Want | Learn more about Capgemini in India at
India Today
15-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Over 700 marginalised youths trained in AI, robotics, and fintech skills
More than 700 marginalised youths from Delhi NCR and Bengaluru have successfully completed a 200-hour training programme focused on artificial intelligence. Covering key areas such as generative AI, robotics, and fintech, the initiative blended technical education with soft skills training to enhance job readiness and support entry into the evolving tech received over 140 hours of core AI training alongside more than 60 hours of sessions focused on communication, problem-solving, and workplace readiness. Expert-led workshops, real-world exposure through corporate visits, and mentorship from volunteers formed a key part of the holistic training on the success of the initiative, Jyoti Sharma, CEO, Nasscom Foundation said, 'AI is not just reshaping industries, it's redefining the future of work. Our collaboration with Capgemini, under the AI for Skilling initiative, reflects our shared vision of an inclusive digital economy, where marginalised youth have the opportunity to participate and break barriers to AI access. By enabling future-ready skills and focusing on foundational, core-work skills, we are investing in the potential of India's youth to fully embrace evolving digital opportunities.'Ashwin Yardi, CEO – India, Capgemini said, 'AI is shaping a bold new era of work—one where innovation, inclusion, and human potential thrive together. Through Capgemini's Digital Academy, in partnership with Nasscom Foundation, we are bridging the digital divide - equipping the youth with industry-relevant AI and technology skills for meaningful careers."The programme's first cohort has already started securing placements across technology sectors. Building on this success, the next phase of the initiative will expand into DeepTech fields, aiming to create a sustainable talent pipeline and bridge the digital divide for underserved communities.
