Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH), a leading provider of global IT and business process outsourcing services, announced today a multi-year, multi-million dollar engagement with Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK), a global research-driven pharmaceutical company.

Cognizant will extend its existing relationship with Merck, dating back to 2005, to become a key technology partner and provide a full suite of services encompassing applications outsourcing, IT infrastructure management and business process outsourcing services.

"Over the past two years, Merck has leveraged Cognizant's extensive pharmaceutical expertise to streamline operational efficiencies and to consolidate our IT portfolio," said Rich Branton, vice president Global Technology Solutions, Merck & Co. "We selected Cognizant as our ongoing strategic partner for the full suite of IT services as a result of our previous engagements and Cognizant's deep domain experience and leadership position in our space."

"With Cognizant's expertise in the Healthcare and Life Sciences industry, we are proud to be chosen by Merck as a trusted IT partner to deliver services globally for them," said Francisco D'Souza, president and CEO of Cognizant. "Our ability to integrate applications, infrastructure and business processes, coupled with our global delivery model, enables us to provide Merck with a strong platform for its global transformational initiatives."

About Cognizant

Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting and business process outsourcing services. Cognizant's single- minded passion is to dedicate our global technology and innovation know-how, our industry expertise and worldwide resources to working together with clients to make their businesses stronger. With more than 35 global delivery centers and over 54,000 employees, we combine a unique onsite/offshore delivery model infused by a distinct culture of customer satisfaction. A member of the NASDAQ-100 Index and S&P 500 Index, Cognizant is a Forbes Global 2000 company and is ranked among the top information technology companies in BusinessWeek's Info Tech 100, Hot Growth and Top 50 Performers listings. Visit us online at www.cognizant.com.

This press release includes statements which may constitute forward- looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cognizant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: scoggin@waggeneredstrom.com

SOURCE: Cognizant

CONTACT: Kirsten Paragona, Director of Cognizant Corporate Media
Relations, +1-978-356-3342, Kirsten.paragona@cognizant.com; Investors: Scot
Hoffman of Financial Dynamics, +1-212-850-5617, scot.hoffman@fd.com, for
Cognizant

Web site: http://www.cognizant.com/