HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar’s FY26 salary grew nearly 67% to Rs 176.47 crores; highest-paid Indian IT...

HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar's salary package has soared to Rs 176.47 crores for the fiscal year 2026, marking a significant 67% increase. This impressive compensation makes him the highest-paid executive in the Indian IT sector. The pay hike reflects the company's strong performance and Vijayakumar's role in steering HCLTech through challenging times to achieve robust growth. This substantial salary bump is attributed to a combination of base salary, stock options, and performance-linked incentives. The company's strategic initiatives under Vijayakumar's leadership have resulted in expanded global reach and increased revenues, justifying the substantial remuneration. The decision also underscores HCLTech's commitment to retaining top talent to maintain its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry. Industry analysts view this move as indicative of the growing trend of rewarding top executives in India with packages that are competitive on a global scale. While some stakeholders question the disparity between executive and employee pay, others argue that such compensation is essential to attract and retain visionary leaders. As the sector grows, the spotlight remains on how companies balance rewarding leadership with broader organizational equity.

— Authored by Next24 Live