HCLTech CEO C. Vijayakumar becomes the highest paid Indian IT CEO in 2025 with ₹95 crore compensation. See salary breakdown, comparisons with other CEOs, and what it reveals about India’s tech leadership landscape.
Rs 95 crore CEO salary makes news
In 2025, HCLTech CEO C. Vijaykumar has officially become India’s highest-paid IT CEO, with a total annual salary of ₹95.2 crore ($11.45 million). This pay package places him above his industry peers, reflecting the growing global influence and profitability of Indian IT companies.
This blog post explores the breakdown of his salary, comparison with other IT leaders, and the huge impact he is having on India’s tech talent economy.
HCLTech CEO Highest paid Indian IT CEO in 2025 Salary Details 2025
| Component | Amount (₹ Crore) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | ₹12.08 crore | Fixed annual pay |
| Perquisites and Allowances | ₹1.74 crore | Includes housing, transport, etc. |
| Performance Bonus | ₹18.89 crore | Linked to HCLTech’s profit and global growth |
| Stock Incentives (ESOPs) | ₹62.49 crore | Long-term stock compensation |
| Total Compensation | ₹95.20 crore | For FY 2024-25 |
Comparison: Other Top Indian IT CEOs
| CEO | Company | Total Pay (₹ Cr) | Global Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| C. Vijayakumar | HCLTech | ₹95.20 | Yes |
| Salil Parekh | Infosys | ₹56.44 | Yes |
| Rajesh Gopinathan (former) | TCS | ₹25.77 (in 2022) | No (India-focused) |
| Thierry Delaporte | Wipro | ₹82.40 | Yes (French national) |
What makes Vijaykumar’s salary fair?
Global expansion: Under his leadership, HCLTech significantly expanded into the cloud services, AI and digital transformation markets in the US and Europe.
Strong financials: HCLTech’s revenue and profit margins hit record highs in FY25.
Stable leadership: Vijaykumar has been with HCLTech for over 29 years, demonstrating consistent leadership through market ups and downs.
Public reaction and expert opinion
Some see this as a symbol of India’s global technology leadership, proving that Indian executives are globally competitive.
Some question the growing income gap between top executives and entry/mid-level IT workers.
Analysts say HCLTech is catching up with global benchmarks, where CEOs of US tech companies earn $100 million+ in total compensation.
CEO salaries reflect India’s global growth
C. Vijaykumar’s ₹95 crore salary is not just a number – it is a symbol of India’s maturing tech ecosystem, capable of producing world-class corporate leadership. While it is a matter of pride, it also opens up a debate around the future of equity and executive compensation.
With India’s IT sector aiming for a market value of $350 billion+ by 2030, top talent is now being valued by global standards – and Vijaykumar’s salary is evidence of that.
