K. Krithivasan, CEO of TCS: Leading the Company into a New Era of Innovation and Growth

K. Krithivasan’s journey from a long-serving professional at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to becoming its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director is a testament to dedication, strategic foresight, and deep industry expertise. Appointed CEO on June 1, 2023, Krithivasan now guides one of the world’s largest IT services companies through a rapidly evolving technological and business landscape.

Early Career and Rise at TCS

Krithivasan joined TCS in 1989, embarking on what would become a distinguished three-decade-long career. His contributions have spanned delivery management, customer relationship building, large program execution, and strategic sales. Before taking over as CEO, he served as the President and Global Head of the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) business unit, the largest vertical within TCS. In this role, he managed client relationships across global markets and oversaw mission-critical transformation programs, reinforcing TCS’s leadership in the BFSI sector.

Taking the Helm at TCS

When Krithivasan succeeded Rajesh Gopinathan in 2023, the IT industry was facing economic headwinds, emerging AI competitors, and shifting client expectations. He has since focused on reinforcing TCS’s diversified portfolio, countering the perception of the company as a “one-trick pony,” and highlighting its strengths in multiple domains, from digital transformation to consulting.

Krithivasan’s leadership emphasizes context, experience, and long-term partnership qualities he believes distinguish TCS from newer, agile tech startups. He has balanced growth initiatives with prudent workforce strategies, ensuring that the company remains resilient in the face of change.

Strategic Decisions and Workforce Realignment

In 2025, TCS announced a 2% workforce reduction, affecting over 12,000 positions, mainly in middle and senior management. Krithivasan framed the move as a realignment to address a skills mismatch rather than a cost-cutting or automation-driven measure. This decision, while challenging, reflects his focus on aligning talent with the evolving demands of TCS’s clients and business units.

His approach also extends to rewarding performance at the top. In FY 2025, Krithivasan’s remuneration stood at ₹26.52 crore, marking a 4.6% increase from the previous year and representing nearly 330 times the median salary at TCS, a detail that has sparked conversations about executive pay in India’s tech sector.

Driving Talent Development: TCS Careers and TCS Jobs

Krithivasan has reaffirmed TCS’s commitment to nurturing talent pipelines through its structured recruitment programs. The TCS NextStep portal remains the company’s flagship platform for fresh graduates seeking TCS Careers and TCS Jobs. It streamlines the application process, enables tracking of job opportunities, and supports both IT and business process services (BPS) career paths. The portal also integrates with the TCS National Qualifier Test (NQT), a key gateway for aspiring candidates to secure positions in one of India’s most respected IT employers.

Leadership Style and Vision

Krithivasan is known for his understated yet focused leadership style. He champions customer-centric innovation, operational excellence, and an employee-first mindset. In public statements, he has consistently highlighted the importance of trust, enduring client relationships, and deep domain expertise, values that he believes will keep TCS ahead in a highly competitive market.

His vision for TCS is not just about scaling services but about transforming how technology integrates with business outcomes. By leveraging TCS’s global delivery model, domain strength, and investment in new technologies, Krithivasan aims to secure the company’s place at the forefront of the IT services industry.

A Future-Oriented Leader

K. Krithivasan’s leadership reflects a blend of deep institutional knowledge and forward-looking strategy. As he navigates the challenges of economic volatility, disruptive technologies, and global competition, he is shaping TCS into a company that is both rooted in its legacy and ready for the future. His tenure will be defined by how effectively he can balance innovation, talent development, and stakeholder value in one of the most dynamic industries in the world.