India’s India IT jobs salary crisis is in focus as entry-level pay at major technology services firms has stayed close to Rs 3–4 lakh per annum, even while education and urban living costs have increased. The issue was highlighted in a report published by India Today.
What changed in India IT jobs salary crisis
Campus hiring continues at scale across firms such as Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys. However, starting salaries have shown little movement for nearly two decades. A comparison shared online noted that a TCS fresher earned about Rs 3.16 lakh per year in 2007. The same role offers around Rs 3.36 lakh in 2026, according to Careers360 data cited in the report.
Rs 3 lakh fresher pay 2026 remains the entry benchmark
The Rs 3 lakh fresher pay 2026 level still defines most entry-level IT services roles. Companies across the sector continue to cluster compensation around the Rs 3–4 LPA range. This has reduced the real value of wages once inflation and higher living expenses are included.
Impact on workers and household finances
Engineering graduates often face higher tuition bills than earlier cohorts. Many families now spend Rs 10–25 lakh on a BTech degree, often using education loans. Freshers in cities such as Bengaluru and Pune report that rent, transport, and daily costs take up most of their income.
Supporting data and India IT jobs industry gap
The report also pointed to widening pay differences inside firms. Infosys CEO Salil Parekh reportedly earned over Rs 80 crore in FY25, far above entry-level wages. Saurabh Kumar, CEO of Shiksha Nation, said starting pay near Rs 3 lakh is a “wake-up call” for the education and industry ecosystem.
Some graduates with niche skills in AI, cybersecurity, or cloud roles secure packages above Rs 15–20 LPA. Still, most entry-level IT services jobs remain tied to the same base pay structure. The India IT jobs salary crisis continues to shape how graduates assess returns from engineering degrees.
