Over the past three decades, the Information technology (IT) sector has been a cornerstone of India’s economic transformation, acting as a powerful engine for upward mobility and wealth creation. Engineering colleges turned into gateways to prosperity, with IT firms recruiting tens of thousands of fresh graduates each year. This mass hiring wave created a new middle and affluent class, both within india and among the Non-Resident indian (NRI) diaspora. The success of indian IT professionals directly spurred growth in urban real estate markets, luxury consumption, automobile sales, and financial investments. However, the current slowdown in IT hiring—coupled with stagnant salary growth, delayed onboarding, and mass layoffs—is casting long shadows over this once-dependable growth engine.

Despite earning billions in revenue, indian IT companies remained largely conservative in their approach, choosing to focus on service-based models instead of proactively investing in disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, or product innovation. This short-sightedness has made the sector vulnerable to automation, AI-led productivity gains, and changing client demands. Companies like tcs laying off thousands of experienced employees and Infosys freezing salary hikes signal deeper structural problems. The bench policy has become stricter, with employees being dismissed quickly if unutilized, further shrinking job stability. Meanwhile, estimates that up to 30% of IT jobs could vanish in the coming years suggest a sharp contraction in employment opportunities—especially devastating given how many young indians still pursue engineering with hopes of IT employment.

The ripple effects of a shrinking IT sector will be far-reaching. Real estate markets that thrived in IT hubs like Bengaluru, Pune, and hyderabad could face a significant correction. Sectors dependent on high discretionary spending—such as premium retail, automobiles, hospitality, and even education—may suffer as incomes stagnate or fall. This comes at a time when India's labor market is already under stress, with large numbers of underemployed, self-employed, and unpaid family workers. The central and state governments must urgently pivot towards policies that create high-value jobs—focusing on advanced manufacturing, green technologies, R&D, and wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital infrastructure. Without a long-term vision and immediate action, india risks a serious economic and social imbalance.

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