“Don’t Wait for Handouts, Outwork the System”: Soham Parekh Speaks Out as 12,000 TCS Layoffs Shake IT Sector
"Don’t Wait for Handouts, Outwork the System": Soham Parekh Speaks Out as 12,000 TCS Layoffs Shake IT Sector
India’s tech industry is reeling as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the country’s largest IT services firm, announces a massive workforce reduction. The company plans to lay off approximately 2% of its global employees—over 12,000 people—citing the need to realign operations amid sweeping digital and AI-driven transformations.
The move, first reported by The Economic Times, is part of a broader cost-cutting and restructuring initiative. TCS is not only trimming its workforce but also freezing senior-level hiring and putting a pause on annual salary hikes worldwide. The company aims to pivot more aggressively toward artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging markets, signaling a new chapter in how India’s IT giants are adapting to the demands of a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Among the voices reacting to the development is controversial tech personality Soham Parekh. Known for his past as a “serial moonlighter”—juggling multiple startup jobs simultaneously—Parekh weighed in with a blunt message to software developers and IT professionals now facing uncertainty.
“Don’t wait for handouts. Learn fast. Build harder. Your skills are your leverage. Outwork the system. Outlearn the gatekeepers. Outbuild the giants,” Parekh posted on X
Don't wait for handouts. Learn fast. Build harder. Your skills are your leverage.
— Soham Parekh (@realsohamparekh) July 29, 2025
Outwork the system.
Outlearn the gatekeepers.
Outbuild the giants. https://t.co/fYUeSYTJCM
Parekh’s comment comes amid growing anxiety in the sector, where automation and AI adoption are threatening traditional job roles. Despite past criticism for allegedly deceiving employers by holding multiple jobs, Parekh maintains a loyal following. He has openly acknowledged moonlighting during financially challenging times, while his defenders praise his skills and productivity.
TCS, in its official communication, confirmed that the layoffs will primarily affect mid- and senior-level employees. The company said that while reskilling efforts have been underway, certain roles simply couldn’t be repurposed for the AI-driven future.
“Several reskilling and redeployment programs have been in progress. However, some associates will be released as their roles cannot be restructured to match future demands,” the company noted.
To support affected employees, TCS has committed to offering severance packages, career counseling, and outplacement services. The layoffs mark one of the largest shifts within India’s IT sector in recent years, raising broader questions about job security, upskilling, and the changing nature of tech employment.
