TLDR: Cognizant’s Vice President and India Country Head, Achal Kataria, highlights the company’s strategic focus on Generative AI and robust cloud partnerships to navigate global economic uncertainties. The firm is prioritizing projects that enhance productivity, efficiency, and cost optimization for clients, while also fostering innovation. Gen AI is transitioning from proof-of-concepts to large-scale, outcome-based transformations across key sectors like BFSI, healthcare, and retail, driving significant deals. India remains a crucial hub for talent, with plans to hire 15,000-20,000 fresh graduates in 2025 and significant investments in new campuses and AI skilling programs.
In an exclusive interview with Techcircle, Achal Kataria, Vice President and India Country Head at Cognizant, outlined the company’s strategic approach to enterprise transformation amidst a period of elevated global economic uncertainty. Cognizant is heavily investing in and leveraging advanced technologies, particularly Generative AI (Gen AI) and strategic cloud partnerships, to help clients boost productivity, achieve efficiency, and optimize costs, while simultaneously driving innovation and long-term growth.
Kataria emphasized that clients are currently prioritizing initiatives that deliver tangible benefits in terms of productivity and cost savings. However, he noted a parallel emergence of innovation-led opportunities, as organizations reinvest AI-driven savings into growth initiatives and new business models. Cognizant’s early investments in AI tools, design-led engineering, and operational excellence have positioned it favorably in this evolving landscape.
The company is experiencing accelerating growth across various sectors. In Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), significant traction is observed in digital public infrastructure, modernization of banking platforms, and risk analytics. The healthcare sector is rapidly evolving, demanding solutions for telemedicine, digital health records, and drug discovery. Manufacturing growth is being propelled by initiatives like ‘Make in India,’ with smart factories and supply chain optimization playing a pivotal role. Government and Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) are also gaining momentum through flagship programs such as Digital India and smart city projects. Technologically, cloud migration, data analytics, cybersecurity, generative AI, and sustainable IT are identified as key growth areas.
Gen AI, in particular, is a major driver for larger, outcome-based deals. While 2023 primarily saw proof-of-concepts, 2024-25 marks a shift towards organizations adopting end-to-end Gen AI programs. This transition has unlocked large-scale transformation opportunities, especially within banking, insurance, retail, and healthcare. Gen AI is now deeply embedded in cloud platforms, data engineering, and cybersecurity solutions, enabling deals focused on measurable outcomes like revenue growth and cost savings. Cognizant’s managed Gen AI services, including model tuning and compliance monitoring, are also creating new revenue streams.
India remains central to Cognizant’s global delivery model, housing over 70% of its workforce. The company plans to hire between 15,000 and 20,000 fresh graduates in 2025, aiming to optimize its workforce pyramid and reduce costs. A significant investment of ₹1,580 crore has been made in a new campus in Visakhapatnam, projected to create over 8,000 jobs and expand the company’s AI capabilities. Additionally, Cognizant has launched new centers in tier-2 cities like GIFT City, Indore, and Bhubaneswar, supporting agile workforces and fostering innovation. Learning and development are core priorities, with over 277,000 employees acquiring new skills last year, and more than 168,000 trained in Gen AI through the company’s Synapse program.
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Collaborations with hyperscalers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are deemed vital to Cognizant’s growth strategy. These partnerships provide deeper market access and co-fund cloud transformation initiatives. Cognizant bundles migration, cybersecurity, and modernization services with these platforms, jointly developing industry-specific solutions. These alliances are crucial for accelerating innovation, building trust, and enhancing the company’s ability to scale rapidly. Certifications and talent skilling further bolster delivery capabilities and improve engagement in competitive bids.
