HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar has become the highest-paid Indian IT CEO, earning $10 million and topping the compensation charts.

Vijayakumar, based in the United States, earned Rs 94.6 crore in the fiscal year 2024-25, which included a base pay of Rs 15.8 crore, a performance-linked bonus of Rs 13.9 crore, long-term RSUs worth Rs 56.9 crore, and a bonus of Rs 1.7 crore. Vijayakumar's peers include TCS CEO K. Krithivasan, who earned Rs26.5 crore in 2023-24, a 4.6% increase over the previous year. Salil Parekh, CEO of Infosys, received a 22% pay increase, bringing his total compensation to Rs 80.6 crore. Wipro CEO Srinivas Pallia, who took over in April of last year, earned Rs 53.6 crore; since this is his first year in the role, there is no prior comparison.

Key Highlights

• HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar earned ₹94.6 Cr USD 10.85 million in FY25, topping Indian official IT CEO pay charts.
• Board approved a 71 percent bump to USD 18.6 million (~₹154 Cr) remuneration package for Vijayakumar’s upcoming FY26 compensation.

According to the firm's annual report, Vijayakumar received a 7.9% salary increase over the previous year. However, the average salary increase for employees other than managerial personnel in the previous fiscal year was 3.1%. Vijayakumar's salary was 662.5 times the median employee remuneration for the fiscal year 2024-25. On the NRC's recommendation, the Board approved Vijayakumar's reappointment as CEO and MD of HCLTech from September 1 to March 31, 2030.

Under Vijayakumar's leadership, HCLTech performed well from FY16 to FY25, with a revenue CAGR of 9.3%, the highest among peers; an EBIT CAGR of 8.1%, the second highest; and a net income CAGR of 6.9%, also the second highest. 

According to the company's annual report, the Board approved a more than 71% increase in his remuneration for the current fiscal year, bringing it to $18.6 million (roughly Rs 154 crore)."The revised compensation recognizes C. Vijayakumar's successful and long-term leadership as CEO, as well as his significant contributions to the company's growth and consistent performance over time." Between FY16 and FY25, his leadership increased the number of $100 million clients from 8 to 22, $50 million clients from 19 to 52, and $20 million clients from 75 to 138.

C. Vijayakumar has driven significant growth for HCLTech by taking a client-centric approach, expanding the company's global footprint and improving service excellence. From fiscal year 2016 to fiscal year 2025, the number of $100 million clients increased from 8 to 22, $50 million clients from 19 to 52, and $20 million clients from 75 to 138.

Also Read: Foxconn and HCL announce JV in India with $37.2 million Investment

"This growth reflects rising client relevance and deepening strategic partnerships, as evidenced by increased wallet share among HCLTech's key accounts. It was made possible by a 'One HCLTech' approach, which was supported by an increasingly integrated go-to-market model that offered all HCLTech services through a verticalized organizational structure, thereby improving client alignment, execution agility, and responsiveness," the firm stated in its annual report.

Roshni Nadar, chairperson at HCLTech stated, "Looking ahead, the demand environment is expected to remain challenging as clients remain cautious due to uncertainties surrounding global trade frameworks and geopolitical tensions. "We remain focused on navigating these challenges and ensuring that HCLTech is well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities available," she said. "Technology evolution, driven by AI, is accelerating, and the IT services industry is at a tipping point. The industry will need to reinvent itself in order to remain relevant. HCLTech is ready to adapt to these changes."

The median employee remuneration increased by 17.6% over the course of the fiscal year. The company employs 1,67,316 permanent employees. Furthermore, the company's subsidiaries employed 56,104 people.