Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services provider, has implemented a game-changing bench policy that’s sending shockwaves across the tech industry. The policy, introduced on June 12, 2025, limits the time an employee can remain unallocated—without a billable project—to 35 business days per year, marking a significant shift in workforce management practices.
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What Is the New TCS Bench Policy?
Under the revised guidelines, all employees are now mandated to be billed for a minimum of 225 days, with a reduced allowable bench time to 35 days per year. This represents a dramatic reduction from previous policies where employees could remain on the bench for extended periods without immediate consequences.
The term “bench” in IT refers to employees who are between projects or waiting for new assignments. Previously, this transition period was more flexible, but TCS’s new approach aims to maximize employee utilization and improve operational efficiency.
Key Policy Details at a Glance
| Aspect | Previous Policy | New Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Bench Days | Flexible/Extended | 35 days per year |
| Minimum Billable Days | Variable | 225 business days |
| Review Cycle | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Consequences | Limited | Career de-growth/Termination |
| Implementation Date | – | June 12, 2025 |
Why Is This Policy Causing Concern?
The policy stipulates that employees can be without any project allocation for a maximum 35 days a year, after which they risk career de-growth or even termination. This has created a climate of uncertainty among TCS employees, particularly those in specialized roles or between major project transitions.
The National IT Employees Senate (NITES) has criticized the policy as exploitative, arguing that it places undue pressure on employees and creates job insecurity. While on the surface it presents itself as a resource optimisation strategy, many view it as a potential cost-cutting measure disguised as efficiency improvement.
Industry Impact and Employee Response
The tech community has responded with mixed reactions. While some industry experts defend the move as necessary for maintaining competitiveness in a challenging market, employees are expressing concerns about job security on various professional platforms.
TCS’s new 35-day bench policy sparks concerns as employees face job risks and forced deployments, with many questioning whether this approach will become an industry standard.
What This Means for IT Professionals
For current and prospective TCS employees, this policy change signals a need for:
Enhanced Skill Diversification: Professionals must develop multiple competencies to increase project allocation chances across different domains and technologies.
Proactive Career Planning: Employees need to stay ahead of project timelines and actively seek new opportunities within the organization.
Continuous Learning: The reduced bench time makes upskilling and reskilling more critical than ever for career sustainability.
Looking Ahead: Industry Implications
This policy shift could influence other major IT service providers to adopt similar measures, potentially reshaping how the entire industry manages workforce deployment. Companies may need to balance operational efficiency with employee satisfaction and retention.
The move also reflects broader challenges facing the IT sector, including economic pressures, changing client demands, and the need for improved profitability in competitive markets.
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Sources:
- Business Standard – IT employees union says TCS bench policy ‘coercive’
- Analytics India Magazine – Why TCS Changed Its Bench Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many days can TCS employees stay on the bench under the new policy?
A: Under TCS’s new benching policy, employees can remain on the bench for a maximum of 35 days within a year. This is a significant reduction from previous policies and requires employees to be allocated to billable projects for at least 225 business days annually.
Q: What happens if a TCS employee exceeds the 35-day bench limit?
A: Employees who exceed the 35-day bench limit risk career de-growth or even termination. The policy is designed to ensure maximum utilization of human resources and improve operational efficiency, but it has raised concerns about job security among the workforce.
