HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar's FY26 Salary Jumps 67% to Rs 175 Crore, Remains Highest-Paid Indian IT Chief

 Fiscal year 2026. According to recent reports and regulatory filings, Vijayakumar’s total compensation for FY26 is set to be approximately Rs 175 crore ($21.3 million). This represents a remarkable 67% jump from his FY25 earnings of approximately Rs 94.6 crore ($10.85 million).

The FY26 Pay Package and Its Components- The surge in Vijayakumar's pay comes on the heels of his reappointment for a third term as CEO and MD. The significant increase is part of a long-term incentive structure designed to reward his leadership and the company’s superior financial execution. A substantial portion of his compensation is tied to long-term performance, reflecting the board's confidence in his ability to drive shareholder value and navigate the company through a transformative period for the IT industry. While the exact breakdown for FY26 is Rs 175 crore, reports indicate his FY25 earnings included a base salary, a performance bonus, and long-term incentives, predominantly through Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The RSU component often constitutes more than half of the total compensation, underscoring the performance-linked nature of CEO pay. Vijayakumar is based in the United States and draws his remuneration from HCL America Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company.

Vijayakumar vs. Peers: A Wide Chasm in Executive Pay- Vijayakumar’s compensation stands in stark contrast to the packages of his counterparts at other leading Indian IT firms. For example, in FY26, Infosys CEO Salil Parekh earned Rs 82.6 crore, while Wipro's CEO Srini Pallia took home Rs 49.64 crore and Tech Mahindra's CEO Mohit Joshi received Rs 67.5 crore. Most notably, TCS CEO K. Krithivasan, who leads India's largest IT company by revenue, earned approximately Rs 28 crore during the same period. This makes Vijayakumar's pay package several times larger than that of his peers, who draw significantly lower total remuneration.

Pay Disparity and Broader Context- The sharp increase in Vijayakumar’s salary has brought the debate on income inequality within the corporate sector back into the spotlight. Reports from FY24 indicated that HCLTech's median employee salary hike was around 17.63%, a figure that pales in comparison to the CEO’s increase. The ratio between the CEO's pay and the average employee salary at HCLTech has been reported to be as high as 707:1, highlighting a massive disparity. This is particularly notable as the broader Indian IT sector faces headwinds such as macroeconomic uncertainty, automation-driven job cuts, and modest salary hikes for the general workforce. Vijayakumar’s compensation, however, is justified by the board and analysts as a reflection of his pivotal role in strategic growth, execution, and creating shareholder value—evidenced by HCLTech's market cap growth from Rs 1,15,000 crore in March 2016 to over Rs 4,32,000 crore by March 2025.

HCLTech CEO C. Vijayakumar has solidified his position as the highest-paid leader in the Indian IT sector, with his compensation soaring to Rs 175 crore in FY26—a remarkable 67% increase from the previous year. This substantial pay package underscores the company's confidence in his leadership as he embarks on his third term as CEO and Managing Director, a tenure marked by significant financial and strategic growth. Compensation Breakdown and Structure- The CEO’s remuneration is a carefully structured blend of fixed and performance-linked components. For the current fiscal year, his compensation includes a base salary of $1.96 million, a performance-linked bonus of $1.73 million, and substantial long-term incentives in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) valued at approximately $8.82 million. This mix is designed to align his long-term interests with shareholder value creation. His FY25 salary of $10.85 million (approx. Rs 94.6 crore) was similarly structured, with the majority coming from long-term incentives and a smaller portion from fixed pay and performance bonuses.

Setting a New Benchmark in the Indian IT Industry- Vijayakumar’s new salary of Rs 175 crore places him far ahead of his peers at other major IT firms. For instance, in FY26, Infosys CEO Salil Parekh earned Rs 82.6 crore, Wipro CEO Srini Pallia drew Rs 49.64 crore, and Tech Mahindra CEO Mohit Joshi received Rs 67.5 crore. Notably, TCS CEO K Krithivasan, despite heading India's largest IT services firm, earned the lowest among the top five CEOs. Vijayakumar's compensation even surpasses that of many mid-cap IT CEOs, such as Persistent Systems' Sandeep Kalra, reflecting HCLTech's strong market position and its board's recognition of his "superior financial execution" and commitment to long-term value.

Performance, Strategy, and the Industry Context- The substantial salary hike comes at a time when the Indian IT sector is navigating automation-led job cuts, revenue slowdowns, and global economic uncertainty. Under Vijayakumar's leadership, HCLTech has demonstrated resilience and outperformed its peers with a 4.3% revenue growth to $13.8 billion. The company's market capitalization has also grown exponentially, from Rs 1,15,000 crore in March 2016 to over Rs 4,32,000 crore by March 2025. Moreover, the company has forged strategic partnerships, such as the one with OpenAI, to sharpen its AI edge, positioning itself for future growth. While the CEO enjoys a significant pay increase, the broader workforce has seen more modest gains, with HCLTech raising median salaries by 17.63%, a figure that still outpaces some peers who have even cut salaries. This growing divergence highlights the challenging environment and the premium placed on top leadership in driving company strategy.