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Cognizant Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results
Revenue Up 31% Year-over-year and 7% Sequentially

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ: CTSH), a leading provider of IT and business process outsourcing services, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

  Highlights -Third Quarter 2008

  --  Quarterly revenue increased to $734.7 million, up 31% from the
      year-ago quarter.
  --  Quarterly diluted EPS on a GAAP basis was $0.38, compared to $0.32 in
      the year-ago quarter.
  --  Quarterly diluted EPS on a non-GAAP basis was $0.40, excluding
      stock-based compensation and stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax
      expenses, compared to $0.34, excluding stock-based compensation
      expense, in the year-ago quarter.

Revenue for the quarter increased to $734.7 million, up 7% sequentially from $685.4 million in the second quarter of 2008, and up 31% from $558.8 million in the third quarter of 2007. Including a pre-tax foreign exchange loss of $14.8 million, GAAP net income was $112.8 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to $96.2 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2007. GAAP operating margin for the quarter was 19.4%. Excluding stock-based compensation expense of $9.5 million and stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax expense of $0.7 million, non-GAAP operating margin was 20.8%, above the Company's targeted 19 to 20% range. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP operating results and diluted EPS are included at the end of this release.

"During one of the most volatile and disruptive periods for the global economy in recent memory Cognizant's overall performance in the third quarter, including our industry-leading revenue growth and excellent operating margin, clearly demonstrates the strength of our business model," said Francisco D'Souza, President and CEO of Cognizant. "The quarter further validates our long-term strategy of reinvesting in the business and strengthening our domain and technical expertise."

"Through this period of economic uncertainty, we are working with clients across all sectors, including banking and financial services, to help with the twin challenges of simultaneously driving further cost savings while investing to capture new growth opportunities. We believe that this positions us well to navigate through this period of economic turbulence as well as for long-term growth once the economy improves."

"We are increasingly engaging as a trusted partner to our clients at the senior executive levels because our ability to bring cost saving and higher productivity is so important to their enterprise value. In coming quarters, we expect to use our agility and broad range of services to become more instrumental in helping clients navigate these turbulent economic times and emerge as even stronger businesses."

2008 Outlook - Fourth Quarter & Full Year

The Company has maintained the full year revenue guidance it provided last quarter:

  --  Fiscal 2008 revenue is anticipated to be at least $2.81 billion.
  --  Fiscal 2008 diluted EPS expected to be at least $1.45 on a GAAP basis,
      and $1.61 on a non-GAAP basis, which excludes $0.16 of estimated
      stock-based compensation and stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax
      expense.
  --  Fourth quarter 2008 revenue anticipated to be at least $746.7 million.
  --  Fourth quarter 2008 diluted EPS expected to be at least $0.38 on a
      GAAP basis, and at least $0.43 on a non-GAAP basis, which excludes
      $0.05 of estimated stock-based compensation and stock-based Indian
      fringe benefit tax expense.
  --  Due to current volatility in the currency markets, EPS guidance
      excludes any fourth quarter non-operating foreign exchange gain or
      loss.

"During this economic downturn we are continuing to focus on operational excellence and increased utilization while re-investing in the business in order to deepen our sector and domain skills, broaden our offerings and strengthen our consultancy expertise, thus ensuring we are the preferred partner for our clients," said Gordon Coburn, Chief Financial and Operating Officer. "Despite our stronger-than-expected third quarter revenue performance, we are maintaining our full year guidance in light of the current environment which requires caution and prudence. We remain confident in our long-term strategy, and we will continue to focus on investment in the business and operational excellence to ensure we drive industry leading results over the long-term."

Conference Call

Cognizant management will host a conference call today, November 5, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss operating performance for the quarter. To participate in the conference call, domestic callers can dial (800) 374-0467 and international callers can dial (706) 679-3288 and enter the Conference ID number: #68375916. The conference call will also be available live via the Internet by accessing the Cognizant web site at www.cognizant.com. Please go to the web site at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

For those who cannot access the live broadcast, a replay will be available by dialing (800) 642-1687 for domestic callers and (706) 645-9291 for international callers and entering "68375916" from two hours after the end of the call until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday, November 12. The replay will also be available at Cognizant's web site www.cognizant.com for thirty days following the call.

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 40 global delivery centers and approximately 59,500 employees as of September 30, 2008, we combine a unique onsite/offshore delivery model infused with 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 a member of the Fortune 1000 and is ranked among the top information technology companies in BusinessWeek's Hot Growth and Top 50 Performers listings. Visit us online at www.cognizant.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

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.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, this press release includes the following measures defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission as non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share. These non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP measures, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations of Cognizant's GAAP financial statements to such non-GAAP measures should be carefully evaluated.

We seek to manage the company to targeted operating margin, excluding stock-based compensation costs and stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax expense, of 19% to 20% of revenues. Accordingly, we believe that non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, excluding stock-based compensation costs and stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax expense, are meaningful measures for investors to evaluate our financial performance. For our internal management reporting and budgeting purposes, we use financial statements that do not include stock-based compensation expense and stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax expense for financial and operational decision making, to evaluate period-to-period comparisons and for making comparisons of our operating results to that of our competitors. Moreover, because of varying available valuation methodologies and the variety of award types that companies can use under FAS 123R, we believe that providing non-GAAP financial measures that exclude stock-based compensation allows investors to make additional comparisons between our operating results to those of other companies. Accordingly, we believe that the presentation of non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, when read in conjunction with our reported GAAP results, can provide useful supplemental information to our management and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations.

A limitation of using non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share versus operating margin and diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with GAAP is that non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share exclude costs, namely, stock-based compensation and stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax expense, that are recurring. Stock-based compensation and the related stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax expense will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in our business. In addition, other companies may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than us, thereby limiting the usefulness of these non-GAAP financial measures as a comparative tool. We compensate for this limitation by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share and evaluating such non-GAAP financial measures with financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

  COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

  (In thousands, except per share data)


                                   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                      September 30,        September 30,
                                      -------------        -------------
                                     2008      2007       2008        2007
                                     ----      ----       ----        ----

    Revenues                     $734,726  $558,837 $2,063,259  $1,535,621

    Operating Expenses:
    Cost of revenues
     (exclusive of
     depreciation and
     amortization expense
     shown separately below)      405,936   317,286  1,153,068     864,521
    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses      166,685   126,551    482,643     356,514
    Depreciation and
     amortization expense          19,474    13,870     53,544      39,183
                                   ------    ------     ------      ------
    Income from operations        142,631   101,130    374,004     275,403
                                  -------   -------    -------     -------

    Other income
     (expense), net:
    Interest income                 5,344     7,917     16,428      21,038
    Other income /
     (expense), net               (14,777)    2,644    (11,308)      3,156
                                  -------     -----    -------       -----
    Total other income /
     (expense), net                (9,433)   10,561      5,120      24,194
                                   ------    ------      -----      ------

    Income before provision for
     income taxes                 133,198   111,691    379,124     299,597

    Provision for income taxes     20,370    15,537     60,567      45,720

                                 --------   -------   --------    --------
    Net income                   $112,828   $96,154   $318,557    $253,877
                                 ========   =======   ========    ========

                                    -----     -----      -----       -----
    Basic earnings per share        $0.39     $0.33      $1.10       $0.88
                                    =====     =====      =====       =====

                                    -----     -----      -----       -----
    Diluted earnings per share      $0.38     $0.32      $1.06       $0.83
                                    =====     =====      =====       =====

    Weighted average number of    -------   -------    -------     -------
     common shares outstanding    291,341   289,559    289,740     287,823
                                  =======   =======    =======     =======

    Weighted average number of
     Common and dilutive shares   -------   -------    -------     -------
     outstanding                  299,805   304,564    299,396     304,059
                                  =======   =======    =======     =======



  COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Unaudited)
  (In thousands)



                                                  September 30, December 31,
                                                  ------------- ------------
                                                       2008         2007
                                                       ----         ----

  Assets

  Current Assets

    Cash and cash equivalents                       $569,262     $339,845

    Short-term investments                            26,134      330,580

    Trade accounts receivable, net of
     allowances of $13,094
     and $6,339, respectively                        528,621      382,960

    Unbilled accounts receivable                      71,329       53,496

    Deferred income tax assets                        50,989       75,470

    Other current assets                              74,873       59,828

                                                   ---------    ---------
             Total Current Assets                  1,321,208    1,242,179

  Property and equipment, net                        453,350      356,047

  Long-term investments                              162,134            -

  Goodwill                                           156,298      148,789

  Other intangible assets, net                        44,855       45,565

  Deferred income tax assets, net                     38,242       11,949

  Other assets                                        36,141       33,777

                                                  ----------   ----------
  Total Assets                                    $2,212,228   $1,838,306
                                                  ==========   ==========

  Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

  Current Liabilities

  Accounts payable                                   $45,753      $36,176

  Deferred revenue                                    28,572       29,020

  Accrued expenses and other liabilities             271,573      275,488

                                                     -------      -------
         Total Current Liabilities                   345,898      340,684

  Deferred income tax liabilities, net                 8,033       15,145

  Other noncurrent liabilities                        15,268       14,267

                                                     -------      -------
  Total Liabilities                                  369,199      370,096
                                                     -------      -------

                                                   ---------    ---------
  Stockholders' Equity                             1,843,029    1,468,210
                                                   ---------    ---------

                                                  ----------   ----------
  Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      $2,212,228   $1,838,306
                                                  ==========   ==========





  COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
  Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to Comparable GAAP Measures
  (In thousands, except per share data)


                             Three Months Ended September 30,
                             --------------------------------
                             2008         2008          2008
                             GAAP      Adjustments    Non-GAAP
                             ----      -----------    --------

    Income from operations $142,631      $10,169  (a) $152,800
                           ========      =======      ========

    Operating margin           19.4%         1.4% (a)     20.8%
                               ====          ===          ====

    Diluted earnings per
     share                   $0.376       $0.028  (e)   $0.404
                             ======       ======        ======


                             Three Months Ended September 30,
                             --------------------------------
                             2007          2007         2007
                             GAAP      Adjustments    Non-GAAP
                             ----      -----------    --------

    Income from operations $101,130       $9,155  (c) $110,285
                           ========       ======      ========

    Operating margin           18.1%         1.6% (c)     19.7%
                               ====          ===          ====

    Diluted earnings per
     share                   $0.316       $0.024  (f)   $0.340
                             ======       ======        ======



                             Nine Months Ended September 30,
                             --------------------------------
                             2008          2008        2008
                             GAAP      Adjustments    Non-GAAP
                             ----      -----------    --------

    Income from operations $374,004      $40,449  (b) $414,453
                           ========      =======      ========

    Operating margin           18.1%         2.0% (b)     20.1%
                               ====          ===          ====

    Diluted earnings per
     share                   $1.064       $0.113  (e)   $1.177
                             ======       ======        ======







                             Nine Months Ended September 30,
                             --------------------------------
                             2007         2007          2007
                             GAAP      Adjustments    Non-GAAP
                             ----      -----------    --------

    Income from operations $275,403      $26,105  (d) $301,508
                           ========      =======      ========

    Operating margin           17.9%         1.7% (d)     19.6%
                               ====          ===          ====

    Diluted earnings per
     share                   $0.835       $0.069  (f)   $0.904
                             ======       ======        ======

  Notes:
  (a) Adjustment to exclude stock-based compensation of $9,509 and stock-

based Indian fringe benefit tax expense of $660 from income from operations of which $4,634 was reported in cost of revenues and

$5,535 was reported in selling, general and administrative expenses in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

(b) Adjustment to exclude stock-based compensation of $32,957 and stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax expense of $7,492 from income from operations of which $17,397 was reported in cost of revenues and

$23,052 was reported in selling, general and administrative expenses in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

(c) Adjustment to exclude stock-based compensation of $9,155 from income from operations of which $4,315 was reported in cost of revenues and $4,840 was reported in selling, general and administrative expenses in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

(d) Adjustment to exclude stock-based compensation of $26,105 from income from operations of which $12,411 was reported in cost of revenues and $13,694 was reported in selling, general and administrative expenses in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

(e) Adjustment to exclude the per share effect of stock-based compensation expense net of the related tax benefit and stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax expense. The stock-based Indian fringe benefit tax expense is a nondeductible expense since the cost is recovered from employees.

(f) Adjustment to exclude the per share effect of stock-based compensation expense net of the related tax benefit.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: Hannah.Sloane@fd.com

SOURCE: Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation

CONTACT: David Nelson, Vice President, Investor Relations,
+1-201-498-8840, david.nelson@cognizant.com, or Press: Brian Maddox or Hannah
Sloane, hannah.sloane@fd.com, both of Financial Dynamics, +1-212-850-5600

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

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