Airtel slows hiring, expands contract workforce in FY26 - financialexpress.com

Bharti Airtel's on-roll workforce decreased by 194 employees to 20,116 in the financial year 2026, according to a report from Financial Express. The company has expanded its contract workforce, though specific contract headcount figures were not provided in the report.

The report attributes the staffing changes to Airtel's efforts to optimize costs and increase operational flexibility. The telecom sector has been undergoing digital transformation and automation, which has reduced the need for some permanent roles. Airtel did not respond to requests for comment on the workforce reductions or the expansion of contract labor.

The trend of shifting from permanent to contract workers is not unique to Airtel. The FY26 data continues a pattern observed in the industry over the past several years.