AI threatens India's IT hiring surge, jeopardizing growth and middle‑class consumption
AI‑driven automation has already cut net headcount at India's five biggest IT firms by about 7,000 jobs in FY26, slowing the sector that fuels the country's consumption‑driven growth. Economists warn the loss of high‑pay white‑collar roles could stall the aspirational middle class and force a policy push for massive upskilling to keep the demographic dividend on track.