HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar Gets 71% Salary Hike in FY26, Surpassing Pay Packages of TCS and Infosys Leaders
In a significant development that reflects both recognition and reward for performance, HCLTech has announced a substantial 71% hike in the compensation of its CEO and Managing Director, C Vijayakumar, for FY26. With this raise, his total compensation now exceeds that of his counterparts at fellow Indian IT giants TCS and Infosys, making him one of the highest-paid tech executives in the country.
A Reward for Growth and Leadership
C Vijayakumar has been at the helm of HCLTech since 2016 and has played a key role in transforming the company into one of the top global IT service providers. Under his leadership, HCLTech has consistently delivered strong financial results, expanded its global footprint, and strengthened its digital and cloud services offerings.
The salary revision, which is subject to shareholder approval, is structured to reflect both fixed and variable components. According to regulatory filings, the revised compensation package for FY26 includes a mix of base salary, bonuses, stock incentives, and long-term performance-linked rewards. His total annual pay is expected to cross ₹130 crore, including stock awards, making it significantly higher than the remuneration received by TCS CEO K Krithivasan and Infosys CEO Salil Parekh in the same period.
Comparison with Industry Peers
- C Vijayakumar (HCLTech): ₹130+ crore (including variable and stock components)
- Salil Parekh (Infosys): Estimated around ₹60–70 crore (FY25 figures)
- K Krithivasan (TCS): Approx. ₹25 crore (as per recent disclosures)
The stark contrast in compensation packages reflects not only individual performance metrics but also varying company philosophies regarding executive pay, especially around stock-linked incentives.
Market and Shareholder Response
While some investor circles have raised questions about executive compensation amidst global economic uncertainty and tech-sector layoffs, many analysts believe that such pay hikes are justified if tied closely to value creation. HCLTech’s stock performance, client acquisitions, and consistent revenue growth over the past few years have made a strong case for rewarding leadership continuity.
Shareholders are expected to vote on the revised compensation plan during the company’s upcoming annual general meeting. Market experts believe that given HCLTech’s performance, shareholder approval is likely.
Performance Highlights of HCLTech Under Vijayakumar
- Revenue has consistently grown at a healthy pace, surpassing $13 billion in FY25.
- Expansion into new markets, including deeper investments in AI, automation, and digital transformation services.
- A strong client retention rate, with increasing deals in the Fortune 500 segment.
- Strategic acquisitions to boost product engineering and cloud capabilities.
Executive Compensation Trends in Indian IT
The tech industry globally is known for competitive executive pay packages, particularly where long-term stock-based incentives are involved. Indian IT companies have gradually moved towards aligning CEO compensation with global standards, especially as they compete not only in services but also in leadership talent.
Conclusion
C Vijayakumar’s 71% salary hike underscores HCLTech’s confidence in his leadership and vision. As he continues to steer the company through a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the move also signals a broader trend of rewarding strategic and performance-driven leadership at the highest levels of India’s tech sector.
