Persistent Systems Earns Top APAC Ranking with ESG and AI Focus

SANTA CLARA, CA & PUNE, INDIA – March 10, 2026 – Persistent Systems, a global digital engineering firm, has secured a top-tier position on the prestigious "Best Companies in Asia-Pacific 2026" list, a comprehensive ranking compiled by TIME and research firm Statista. The company's inclusion underscores a modern formula for corporate success, blending robust financial performance with strong commitments to sustainability and employee well-being.

Persistent was ranked 9th in the Professional Services category across the Asia-Pacific region and 7th within India. Among all Indian enterprises evaluated, the company placed 46th out of 179, landing it firmly in the top quartile nationally. This recognition is not a subjective accolade but the result of a rigorous, data-driven analysis that validates the company's strategic direction and operational discipline in an intensely competitive global market.

A Trifecta of Excellence: Deconstructing the Ranking

The methodology behind the TIME and Statista list provides a transparent look at what defines a top-performing company in the modern era. The evaluation, conducted between August and November 2025, analyzed 500 companies across the region based on three equally weighted pillars: Employee Satisfaction, Financial Performance, and Sustainability Transparency (ESG).

For the Employee Satisfaction component, Statista drew on extensive survey data from over 50,000 employees, gauging sentiment on everything from workplace atmosphere and salary to company image and equality. The Financial Performance metric required companies to have generated at least $100 million in revenue in 2024 and demonstrated consistent revenue growth or profitability. Finally, the Sustainability Transparency dimension scrutinized companies' ESG credentials using standardized Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including carbon emissions intensity, adherence to global reporting standards, and board diversity.

Persistent's high ranking across these diverse metrics indicates a balanced and resilient business model. The recognition serves as a powerful signal to clients, partners, and investors that the company's growth is not just rapid but also sustainable and built on a solid foundation of internal health and ethical governance.

Beyond the Balance Sheet: A New Benchmark for Success

Notably, Sustainability Transparency was Persistent's highest-scoring dimension in the evaluation. This achievement highlights a strategic pivot in the corporate world, where environmental, social, and governance metrics are increasingly viewed as integral to long-term value creation rather than peripheral concerns.

The evaluation's ESG criteria were exacting, looking at concrete data points such as the 2023 carbon emissions intensity and its reduction rate since 2021, scores from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), and the implementation of human rights policies. Persistent’s strong performance in this area is backed by tangible initiatives, including achieving carbon neutrality and its inclusion as a constituent of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, a globally recognized benchmark for corporate sustainability leadership.

Niels Terfehr, Vice President of Research & Analysis at Statista R, commented on this specific achievement. "Persistent also distinguished itself through exceptional performance in environmental transparency and sustainability," he noted. "Driven by significant reductions in carbon emissions intensity, the Company ranked in the top 15% of all Asia-Pacific companies evaluated in this category. This recognition reflects Persistent's commitment to sustainable growth, operational excellence and delivering long-term value for its stakeholders." This independent validation from the ranking's co-creator underscores the depth of the company's commitment to responsible business practices.

The Engine of Growth: AI-Led Strategy and Innovation

While its ESG performance is a key differentiator, Persistent's core business strategy remains the engine of its financial success. The company has centered its growth on an "AI-led digital engineering and enterprise modernization" approach, positioning itself at the forefront of the technological transformations sweeping across industries.

This strategic focus is not just a marketing slogan but a deeply embedded operational principle. A testament to this is the company's ISO 42001 certification for AI management systems, a critical standard that reinforces its commitment to the responsible and ethical adoption of artificial intelligence. In an era where AI's power and potential risks are under intense scrutiny, this certification provides clients with a crucial layer of trust and assurance.

Sandeep Kalra, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director at Persistent, framed the recognition as a validation of this disciplined approach. "Our inclusion in TIME's Asia-Pacific Best Companies 2026 ranking is an independent, data-driven validation of our consistent performance and the discipline with which we continue to scale our business," Kalra stated. "As we advance our AI-first strategy, we remain committed to strengthening governance, enhancing workforce readiness and building long-term stakeholder trust."

This confidence appears to be shared by the market. On the day of the announcement, Persistent Systems' stock saw a modest increase, and a significant block trade of over 100,000 shares on the National Stock Exchange suggested heightened investor interest, signaling that the market is taking note of the company's strategic successes.

The Human Element: Cultivating a Culture of Success

The third pillar of the TIME and Statista ranking, Employee Satisfaction, reveals the human-centric foundation of Persistent's success. With a global workforce of over 26,500 people across 18 countries, fostering a cohesive and positive culture is a monumental task, yet the ranking suggests the company is succeeding.

The press release highlights "high employee retention" and a "culture of continuous learning," which are critical assets in the fast-paced technology sector where talent is scarce and highly mobile. By enabling employees to evolve their skills in lockstep with technological advancements, the company not only serves its clients better but also creates a more engaged and loyal workforce. This focus on its people is further evidenced by its inclusion on Newsweek's list of America's Greatest Workplaces for Inclusion & Diversity 2025.

In a competitive landscape, particularly within the bustling IT hubs of India, a company's ability to attract and retain top talent is a direct determinant of its capacity for innovation and growth. Persistent's strong showing in employee satisfaction demonstrates that its investments in its people are paying measurable dividends, contributing directly to its position as a leading company in the Asia-Pacific region. This holistic approach, which balances profit with people and the planet, is what ultimately defines its award-winning performance.