Bangalore, Oct 15 : Infosys Technologies has stepped up hiring on robust growth in the second quarter (July-Sept) of this fiscal (2010-11) to make up for the rising attrition to meet the increasing demand of the resilient industry.

Though the IT bellwether added 14,264 new employees during the quarter under review (Q2), the exit of 6,618 of its techies resulted in net addition of 7,746, taking the total workforce to 122,468 till September 30.

On annualized and sequential basis, the attrition rate has shot up to 17.1 percent from 10.9 percent year ago and 15.8 percent quarter ago.

Infosys board member and head of HRD and education and research T. V. Mohandas Pai, however, claimed in a statement that attrition had decreased from first quarter (April-June) when 8,859 employees were hired and 7,833 left, resulting in net addition of 1,026.

"We have seen record hiring this (second) quarter and attrition has decreased," Pai said.

According to the company's fact sheet, as against the present total strength of 122,468, the total number at the end of first quarter was 114,822 and year ago 105,453, with the net addition of 7,646, 1,026 and 1,548.

"Our new career architecture is showing positive results," Pai added. (IANS)