Startup Originals Team
HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar has become India’s highest-paid CEO among IT services companies, earning $18.13 million (approximately ₹174.86 crore) during the financial year 2025-26, according to the company’s latest annual report. His total remuneration increased by 67% compared to the previous financial year, reflecting strong performance-linked compensation.
Salary Rises 67% Year-on-Year
The annual report shows that Vijayakumar’s total compensation saw a sharp increase over the previous year. The growth was largely driven by performance-based incentives and long-term compensation, making him the highest-paid executive in India’s IT services industry.
The significant rise highlights HCLTech’s reward structure for senior leadership based on business performance and shareholder value creation.
Base Salary Stood at Nearly ₹24 Crore
Out of the total compensation package, Vijayakumar received a base salary of $2.48 million, which is approximately ₹24 crore. The remaining amount came from bonuses, stock-linked incentives, and other long-term compensation components included in his remuneration package.
Such compensation structures are common among global technology companies, where executive pay is closely tied to company performance and long-term growth.
HCLTech Continues Strong Business Performance
HCLTech has remained one of India’s leading IT services companies, expanding its global client base and strengthening its presence across cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital engineering, and enterprise technology services.
The company’s continued financial performance has supported its ability to reward senior leadership while investing in future growth.
Executive Pay Reflects Industry Trends
Executive compensation in the technology sector increasingly includes stock awards and performance incentives rather than fixed salaries alone. As companies compete globally, leadership pay packages are often linked to financial performance, business expansion, and long-term shareholder returns.
Vijayakumar’s latest remuneration reflects this global compensation trend within the IT services industry.
Industry Impact
The announcement is expected to draw attention to executive compensation across India’s technology sector, where companies continue competing for experienced global leadership. It also highlights the growing scale of India’s IT industry and its ability to offer globally competitive executive pay packages.
Looking Ahead
As HCLTech continues expanding its digital and AI capabilities, the company is expected to focus on innovation, global growth, and strengthening client relationships. Executive compensation will likely remain closely tied to future business performance and long-term value creation for shareholders.
