Infosys Fires 400 Trainees After Tougher Evaluation Criteria in 2024
The Indian IT sector is facing another job crisis, as Infosys terminated around 400 trainees on February 7, 2024, citing failure to clear the company’s three-attempt evaluation process. These freshers had waited over two and a half years to join Infosys but were let go within months of starting their training.
Adding to the uncertainty, another 450 trainees from the October 2021 batch are scheduled for their final attempt on February 14, raising fears of further mass terminations.
Trainees Asked to Vacate Mysuru Campus Immediately
Distressing scenes unfolded at the Infosys Mysuru campus, as terminated trainees were asked to vacate the premises within hours.
One female trainee from Madhya Pradesh, in tears, pleaded with officials:
“Please let me stay the night. I will leave tomorrow. Where will I go right now?”
However, Infosys officials allegedly responded:
“We don’t know. You are no longer part of the company. Vacate the premises by 6 pm.”
Many trainees struggled to find transport back to their hometowns, unsure how to explain the sudden termination to their families.
Infosys’ Official Statement on Layoffs
Defending its decision, Infosys stated:
“At Infosys, we have a rigorous hiring process where all freshers undergo extensive training at our Mysuru campus and must clear internal assessments. All freshers get three attempts to pass, failing which they are let go, as per their contracts. This process has existed for over two decades to ensure high-quality talent availability for our clients.”
However, trainees claim that Infosys has made the passing criteria for the 2024 batch significantly tougher, leading to mass failures.
How Infosys’ Evaluation Process Became Tougher
Old vs. New Passing Criteria
| Year | Passing Criteria | Assessment Components | Attempt Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 50% Overall Score | Java (FA1) – 1 Coding Problem, MCQs DBMS (FA2) – 4 Queries |
No time limit, could attempt within 6 months |
| 2024 | 65% Overall Score | Java (F1) – 3 Coding Problems (Data Structures, OOPS, Programming Fundamentals), MCQs DBMS (FA2) – 8 Queries |
Must clear Generic phase before moving to Technology phase |
Increased Syllabus Load
- Programming Fundamentals: Expanded to 120 hours of study
- Data Structures: Increased to 40 hours
- DBMS Training: Reduced to 10 days despite requiring 100 hours of study
- Self-Study Requirements: Trainees needed an extra 8 hours per day outside training hours
Infosys Layoffs 2024: The Impact on IT Freshers
- Delayed Onboarding & Mass Terminations:
Infosys sent offer letters in 2022 but delayed onboarding due to global IT slowdown, ultimately leading to job cuts in 2024. - Drastic Rise in Failure Rates:
In October 2024, 930 trainees joined the program. By January 2025:- Only 160 cleared in the first attempt
- 140 cleared in the second attempt
- Over 630 failed due to increased syllabus difficulty
- Unfair Assessment Overlap:
Previously, System Engineers (Rs 20,000/month salary) had a simpler syllabus compared to Specialist Programmers (Rs 70,000/month salary). Now, both roles are tested on the same advanced syllabus, making it unfair for entry-level positions.
What’s Next for Infosys Trainees?
With another 450 trainees set to take their final attempt on February 14, industry experts predict that the layoff numbers could rise further. The Indian IT industry, already struggling with hiring freezes and slow job growth, is becoming an increasingly hostile environment for fresh graduates.
Future Prospects for IT Freshers
- Hiring in IT companies is slowing down due to cost-cutting and low demand.
- Freshers may need to upskill independently as companies reduce their training investments.
- Job security in the IT sector is becoming uncertain, making campus placements less reliable.
The Infosys layoffs 2024 highlight a growing trend in India’s tech industry, where job stability is no longer guaranteed, even for those securing offers from top IT firms.
