Indian IT major Infosys has sharply revised its entry-level salary structure, offering compensation of up to ₹21 lakh per annum for select specialist roles — a significant jump from its long-criticised ₹3.5 lakh fresher packages.

From ₹3.5 lakh to ₹21 lakh: a sharp shift

Infosys is now recruiting engineering and computer science graduates for specialist programmer roles with salaries ranging between ₹7 lakh and ₹21 lakh per annum. The move is aimed at attracting digitally skilled, AI-ready talent as the company accelerates its artificial intelligence-led transformation.

Under the revised structure, the offered roles include:

  • Specialist Programmer L3 (Trainee): ₹21 lakh per annum
  • Specialist Programmer L2 (Trainee): ₹16 lakh per annum
  • Specialist Programmer L1 (Trainee): ₹10 lakh per annum, with a ₹1 lakh joining bonus

Recruitment will be conducted through both campus placements and off-campus hiring channels.

AI-first strategy driving hiring

According to Shaji Mathew, Chief Human Resources Officer of the Infosys Group, the company is adopting an “AI-first” approach to strengthen its technological capabilities. The higher pay packages are intended to draw in graduates with strong foundations in artificial intelligence, data science, and advanced digital skills.

Infosys has also indicated plans to hire around 20,000 graduates in 2025, signalling continued demand for fresh talent despite global uncertainty in the tech sector.

Internet divided over “up to ₹21 LPA” claim

The announcement has triggered intense debate on social media. While many welcomed the move as long overdue, others criticised the headline figure, pointing out that only a small number of niche roles qualify for the highest salary.

Several users argued that the widely advertised “up to ₹21 lakh” does not reflect the reality for most freshers, who continue to receive offers closer to ₹6 lakh or below. Some went as far as calling the announcement misleading, describing it as a “lollipop” meant to improve perception rather than address broader wage concerns.

A symbolic but significant move

Despite the criticism, industry observers note that the ₹21 lakh offer marks a symbolic shift in India’s IT hiring landscape. For a company long associated with modest fresher pay, Infosys’s move reflects growing competition for AI-ready talent and changing expectations among new graduates.

Whether this pay revision signals a broader reset or remains limited to elite roles will become clearer as the 2025 hiring season unfolds.