Our assessment earlier was more optimistic, now we are paring it: TCS CEO

External factors and client-specific issues are not very different, says the TCS CEO and MD

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) just emerged from a not-so-good second quarter in 2019-20, when its margins dipped and revenue failed to meet expectations, despite record deal wins. But Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Rajesh Gopinathan is sufficiently confident, though with some degree of caution. In an interview to Bibhu Ranjan Mishra and Romita Majumdar, Gopinathan says the idea is to capture demand first and optimise delivery later. Edited excerpts:

For a change, the TCS leadership seems to be on the defensive. What went wrong?

When the ball exhibits reverse swing, you have to be careful. It’s been a moderate quarter, but