Cognizant Clarifies Entry-Level Engineer Salaries Amid Social Media Backlash
Curated by THEOUTPOST
On Sun, 18 Aug, 4:00 PM UTC
5 Sources
5 Sources
[1]
Cognizant says entry-level annual pay for engineers at ₹4-12 lakh; best in industry
Facing social media backlash over the ₹2.52 lakh annual salary offer for freshers, IT giant Cognizant on Sunday (August 18, 2024) said it offers ₹4-12 lakh salary to fresh engineering graduates, and the salary being quoted on social media is for non-engineering undergraduate degree holders. The firm also faced social media ridicule for doling out annual salary hikes of as low as 1%, but what is being quoted is the lower band of the 1-5% annual increments that the firm has dished out based on individual performance. Cognizant inducts 6 women SVPs to boost gender diversity Cognizant annually hires fresh engineers and non-engineering/IT graduates for varied roles. With the two recruitments running almost parallel, hiring for three-year non-engineering/information technology undergraduate degree holders picked up and was widely shared as Cognizant's salary package for freshers. "Our recent job posting for talent from non-engineering backgrounds, with a 3-year undergraduate degree has been grossly misrepresented. This job posting, with compensation of ₹2.52 lakhs annually, was only for candidates with a 3-year undergraduate degree and not for engineering graduates. Cognizant collaborates with Microsoft to launch AI Innovation Assistant "Our annual compensation for fresh engineering graduates ranges from ₹4 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs annually, depending on the category of hiring, skill set, and advanced industry accredited certifications," said Surya Gummadi, EVP and president, Cognizant Americas. Cognizant hires non-engineering undergraduate degree holders for administrative and other roles and invests substantial time and money in upgrading their skills and IT training, after which they get absorbed in various roles. "The compensation we offer for engineering graduates is highly competitive within the IT services peer group," he said. Cognizant's salary package for engineering graduates matches the best in the industry, and at some levels, it is even higher than peers. Cognizant pays ₹4 cr. to settle Dalal's lawsuit with Wipro "We have been recruiting and upskilling freshers from engineering institutions as well as colleges offering degrees in science, arts, and commerce. Today, as AI increasingly powers modern businesses, we are creating new pathways for talent to thrive in India's technology industry," Mr. Gummadi said. Mr. Gummadi -- who joined Cognizant as a fresher two-and-half-decades back and rose through ranks to now head geography, which forms three-fourths of Cognizant's revenues -- said the firm has a robust training programme that has benefited freshers across the board. "When we hire for entry-level roles, we invest approximately ₹2 to 3 lakhs per associate in the initial years to train, mentor and upskill in advanced technologies. This is for both engineering and non-engineering associates. Hundreds of our associates, who joined us with a 3-year undergraduate degree, today hold key positions from manager to assistant vice-president across the company," he said. On the annual increments, Cognizant said it works diligently to be competitive in its compensation strategy. "The merit increases for this cycle are tied to both individual performance and macro industry dynamics. This year, we are one of the few IT companies in India that have delivered increments and bonuses for employees. This recent pay hike is the 4th that most Cognizant's associates have received in the past 3 years. Moreover, these hikes are just one component of the comprehensive total rewards," it said. 'A people-first company' Mr. Gummadi said Cognizant is a people-first company. "India is the heart of Cognizant and its largest talent hub -- with over 70% of its over 3,36,000 global workforce -- based in major metros and Tier-2 cities, across the country," he added. "To bring our offices closer to where our associates live, we have recently opened new centres in Bhubaneshwar and Indore and expanded operations in Hyderabad. Everything we do hinges on the quality, dedication and scale of our talent." Over the past decades, the firm continued to unlock the full potential of the rich talent pool in India. "We continuously invest in training and upskilling our associates in advanced digital technologies, sponsor higher education and leadership development programmes with top institutions so that our people are empowered to be at the forefront of innovation, learn the latest technologies, work with global clients and accelerate their career growth," he noted. He said Cognizant has been recruiting and upskilling freshers from engineering institutions as well as colleges offering degrees in science, arts, and commerce. "Today, as AI increasingly powers modern businesses, we are creating new pathways for talent to thrive in India's technology industry," he noted. Read Comments
[2]
Cognizant says entry-level annual pay for engineers at ₹4-12 lakh
Facing social media backlash over the ₹2.52 lakh annual salary offer for freshers, IT giant Cognizant on Sunday said it offers ₹4-12 lakh salary to fresh engineering graduates, and the salary being quoted on social media is for non-engineering undergraduate degree holders. The firm also faced social media ridicule for doling out annual salary hikes of as low as 1 per cent, but what is being quoted is the lower band of the 1-5 per cent annual increments that the firm has dished out based on individual performance. Cognizant annually hires fresh engineers and non-engineering/IT graduates for varied roles. Also read: A post on social media creates a debate on salary to IT freshers With the two recruitments running almost parallel, hiring for three-year non-engineering/information technology undergraduate degree holders picked up and was widely shared as Cognizant's salary package for freshers. "Our recent job posting for talent from non-engineering backgrounds, with a 3-year undergraduate degree has been grossly misrepresented. This job posting, with compensation of ₹2.52 lakhs annually, was only for candidates with a 3-year undergraduate degree and not for engineering graduates. "Our annual compensation for fresh engineering graduates ranges from ₹4 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs annually, depending on the category of hiring, skill set, and advanced industry accredited certifications," said Surya Gummadi, EVP and President, Cognizant Americas. Cognizant hires non-engineering undergraduate degree holders for administrative and other roles and invests substantial time and money in upgrading their skills and IT training, after which they get absorbed in various roles. Compensation strategy "The compensation we offer for engineering graduates is highly competitive within the IT services peer group," he said. "We have been recruiting and upskilling freshers from engineering institutions as well as colleges offering degrees in science, arts, and commerce. Today, as AI increasingly powers modern businesses, we are creating new pathways for talent to thrive in technology industry," Gummadi said. "When we hire for entry-level roles, we invest approximately ₹2 to ₹lakhs per associate in the initial years to train, mentor and upskill in advanced technologies. This is for both engineering and non-engineering associates. Hundreds of our associates, who joined us with a 3-year undergraduate degree, today hold key positions from manager to assistant vice president across the company," he said. On the annual increments, Cognizant said it works diligently to be competitive in its compensation strategy. "The merit increases for this cycle are tied to both individual performance and macro industry dynamics. This year, we are one of the few IT companies in India that have delivered increments and bonuses for employees. This recent pay hike is the 4th that most Cognizant's associates have received in the past 3 years. Moreover, these hikes are just one component of the comprehensive total rewards," it said. Gummadi said Cognizant is a people-first company. "We have recently opened new centres in Bhubaneshwar and Indore and expanded operations in Hyderabad. "We continuously invest in training and upskilling our associates in advanced digital technologies, sponsor higher education and leadership development programmes with top institutions so that our people are empowered to be at the forefront of innovation, learn the latest technologies, work with global clients and accelerate their career growth," he noted. SHARE Copy linkEmailFacebookTwitterTelegramLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPublished on August 18, 2024
[3]
Cognizant offering salaries between ₹4-12 lakh to fresher engineers, says EVP Surya Gummadis amid social media backlash | Mint
With the two recruitment processes running almost simultaneously, the hiring of fresh graduates with three-year non-engineering/information technology degrees increased significantly and was widely publicized as part of Cognizant's salary package for newcomers. In response to social media criticism over its ₹2.52 lakh annual salary offer for new hires, IT giant Cognizant clarified on Sunday that it actually offers salaries ranging from ₹4-12 lakh to fresh engineering graduates, according to a report by PTI. The amount being discussed online pertains to non-engineering undergraduate degree holders. The company also faced ridicule for providing annual salary hikes as low as 1 percent. However, this figure represents the lower end of the 1-5 percent annual increments that are awarded based on individual performance. Cognizant recruits fresh engineering and non-engineering/IT graduates annually for a variety of roles. With the two recruitment processes running almost simultaneously, the hiring of fresh graduates with three-year non-engineering/information technology degrees increased significantly and was widely publicized as part of Cognizant's salary package for newcomers. "Our recent job posting for talent from non-engineering backgrounds, with a 3-year undergraduate degree has been grossly misrepresented. This job posting, with compensation of ₹2.52 lakhs annually, was only for candidates with a 3-year undergraduate degree and not for engineering graduates," Surya Gummadi, EVP and President, Cognizant Americas, was quoted as saying by PTI. Cognizant recruits individuals with non-engineering undergraduate degrees for administrative and other positions. They invest significant time and resources in enhancing their skills and providing IT training, after which these individuals are placed in various roles within the company. "Our annual compensation for fresh engineering graduates ranges from ₹4 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs annually, depending on the category of hiring, skill set, and advanced industry accredited certifications," Gummandi added. Cognizant's salary package for engineering graduates is among the top in the industry, and at certain levels, it surpasses that of its competitors. "The compensation we offer for engineering graduates is highly competitive within the IT services peer group. We have been recruiting and upskilling freshers from engineering institutions as well as colleges offering degrees in science, arts, and commerce. Today, as AI increasingly powers modern businesses, we are creating new pathways for talent to thrive in India's technology industry," he said. Gummadi, who started at Cognizant as a fresh graduate 25 years ago and has since advanced to lead the geography that constitutes three-fourths of the company's revenue, stated that the firm's comprehensive training program has been highly beneficial to newcomers across the organization. "When we hire for entry-level roles, we invest approximately ₹2 to 3 lakhs per associate in the initial years to train, mentor and upskill in advanced technologies. This is for both engineering and non-engineering associates. Hundreds of our associates, who joined us with a 3-year undergraduate degree, today hold key positions from manager to assistant vice president across the company," he said. Regarding annual increments, Cognizant stated that it puts in considerable effort to remain competitive with its compensation strategy. "The merit increases for this cycle are tied to both individual performance and macro industry dynamics. This year, we are one of the few IT companies in India that have delivered increments and bonuses for employees. This recent pay hike is the 4th that most Cognizant's associates have received in the past 3 years. Moreover, these hikes are just one component of the comprehensive total rewards," he added.
[4]
Cognizant Americas EVP clarifies on Rs 2.5 lakh annual package: Our compensation for engineering graduates is ... - Times of India
IT giant Cognizant has found itself in the crosshairs of social media criticism over its salary packages. The company has clarified that the much-discussed (or rather much-trolled) Rs 2.52 lakh annual salary offer is intended for non-engineering undergraduate degree holders, and not for engineering graduates. Contrary to the online uproar, Cognizant asserts that its starting salary for fresh engineering graduates ranges from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 12 lakh annually, depending on factors like specialization and certifications.The company has emphasized that its compensation for engineering graduates is competitive with industry standards and even surpasses those of some peers. "Our recent job posting for talent from non-engineering backgrounds, with a 3-year undergraduate degree has been grossly misrepresented. This job posting, with compensation of Rs 2.52 lakhs annually, was only for candidates with a 3-year undergraduate degree and not for engineering graduates. "Our annual compensation for fresh engineering graduates ranges from Rs 4 lakhs to Rs 12 lakhs annually, depending on the category of hiring, skill set, and advanced industry accredited certifications," said Surya Gummadi, EVP and President, Cognizant Americas. "The compensation we offer for engineering graduates is highly competitive within the IT services peer group," he said. He said Cognizant has been recruiting and upskilling freshers from engineering institutions as well as colleges offering degrees in science, arts, and commerce. "We have been recruiting and upskilling freshers from engineering institutions as well as colleges offering degrees in science, arts, and commerce. Today, as AI increasingly powers modern businesses, we are creating new pathways for talent to thrive in India's technology industry," Gummadi further said. Talking of Cognizant's India operation, Gummadi said, "India is the heart of Cognizant and its largest talent hub - with over 70 per cent of its over 3,36,000 global workforce - based in major metros and Tier-2 cities, across the country." The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.
[5]
Amid criticism, Cognizant says entry-level salaries not Rs 2.5 lakh per annum
The company also continuously invests in training and upskilling its associates in advanced digital technologies, sponsors higher education and leadership development programs with top institutions, to equip employees to work with global clients and accelerate their career growth, Gummadi clarified.Amid heavy criticism and trolling on social media regarding its freshers' salary at as low as Rs 2.5 lakh per annum, IT major Cognizant on Sunday clarified that its recent job posting was grossly misrepresented. It said that the job posting, with compensation of Rs 2.52 lakhs annually was only for candidates with a 3-year undergraduate degree and not for engineering graduates. In a statement, Surya Gummadi, EVP and President, Cognizant Americas, said, "Our annual compensation for fresh engineering graduates ranges from Rs 4 lakhs to Rs 12 lakhs annually, depending on the category of hiring, skill set, and advanced industry accredited certifications. The compensation we offer for engineering graduates is highly competitive within the IT services peer group." He further said that the US-headquartered IT major also invests approximately Rs 2 to 3 lakhs per associate in the initial years to train, mentor and upskill employees at entry level in advanced technologies. "This is for both engineering and non-engineering associates. Hundreds of our associates who joined us with a 3-year undergraduate degree, today hold key positions from Manager to Assistant Vice President across the company," Gummadi said. Cognizant has been recruiting and upskilling freshers from engineering institutions as well as colleges offering degrees in science, arts, and commerce. Today, as AI increasingly powers modern businesses, Cognizant is creating new pathways for talent to thrive in India's technology industry, Gummadi explained. "We are a people-first company. India is the heart of Cognizant and its largest talent hub - with over 70% of its over 336,000 global workforce - based in major metros and Tier-2 cities, across the country. To bring our offices closer to where our associates live, we have recently opened new centers in Bhubaneshwar and Indore, and expanded operations in Hyderabad. Everything we do hinges on the quality, dedication and scale of our talent." The company also continuously invests in training and upskilling its associates in advanced digital technologies, sponsors higher education and leadership development programs with top institutions, to equip employees to work with global clients and accelerate their career growth, Gummadi clarified. The company clarified that the recent hikes to employees were competitive in the industry. In a statement, it said, "We work diligently to be competitive in our compensation strategy. The merit increases for this cycle are tied to both individual performance and macro industry dynamics. This year, we are one of the few IT companies in India that has delivered increments and bonuses for employees. This recent pay hike is the 4th that most Cognizant's associates have received in the past 3 years. Moreover, these hikes are just one component of the comprehensive total rewards package."
Share
Share
Copy Link
Cognizant, a leading IT services company, addresses controversy surrounding entry-level engineer salaries. The company states that annual compensation for fresh engineering graduates ranges from ₹4.00 lakh to ₹12.00 lakh, contrary to claims of lower pay circulating on social media.
Cognizant Responds to Salary Controversy
Cognizant, a prominent IT services company, has found itself at the center of a social media storm regarding entry-level salaries for engineers. The controversy erupted when claims circulated online suggesting that the company was offering annual packages as low as ₹2.5 lakh to fresh engineering graduates 1.
Official Clarification on Compensation
In response to the backlash, Cognizant's Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Americas, Surya Gummadi, issued a clarification. He stated that the company's compensation for entry-level engineering graduates in India ranges from ₹4.00 lakh to ₹12.00 lakh per annum 2. This range, according to Gummadi, is "among the best in the industry" for fresh engineering talent 3.
Factors Influencing Salary Variations
The company explained that the variation in salaries depends on several factors, including the specific role, location, and the individual's skill set. Cognizant emphasized that it values its employees and is committed to offering competitive compensation packages to attract and retain top talent in the industry 4.
Industry Context and Comparison
The clarification comes at a time when the IT industry in India is facing scrutiny over entry-level salaries. Many companies have been accused of stagnating fresher salaries despite rising inflation and increased cost of living. Cognizant's statement aims to position the company as a competitive employer in the market, offering salaries that are purportedly among the best for new graduates 5.
Impact on Recruitment and Employee Morale
The controversy and subsequent clarification have highlighted the importance of transparent communication regarding compensation in the IT sector. As companies compete for skilled graduates, accurate information about salary ranges becomes crucial for both recruitment efforts and maintaining employee morale. Cognizant's public response demonstrates the company's awareness of the potential impact of salary rumors on its reputation and ability to attract new talent.
Future Outlook for Entry-Level IT Salaries
While Cognizant has addressed the immediate controversy, the incident has sparked broader discussions about the state of entry-level salaries in the IT industry. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, there is growing pressure on companies to ensure that compensation packages keep pace with the increasing demand for skilled professionals and the rising cost of living in major tech hubs across India.
Reference
[2]
[4]
IT Sector Faces Wage Disparity and Salary Hike Concerns
Recent reports highlight growing concerns in the IT industry regarding salary hikes and wage disparities, particularly affecting freshers and mid-level employees.
2 Sources
2 Sources
Tech Hiring Surge in India: AI and Cloud Skills Drive Demand for 2 Million Professionals by FY25
TeamLease Digital's report reveals a significant increase in tech hiring, especially for AI and cloud roles, with Global Capability Centers leading fresher recruitment. The industry faces a critical need for upskilling to meet the growing demand for specialized tech professionals.
3 Sources
3 Sources
IT Giants in India Face Salary Hike Slowdown: Average Increases Drop to Single Digits
Major Indian IT companies like Infosys, Wipro, and TCS are experiencing a significant decrease in average salary hikes, with increases now in single digits. This trend reflects the ongoing challenges in the IT sector, including global economic uncertainties and reduced spending by clients.
3 Sources
3 Sources
Bengaluru AI Startup's Unconventional Hiring Approach Sparks Debate
Smallest AI, a Bengaluru-based startup, offers a Rs 40 lakh salary for a full-stack engineer position without requiring resumes or specific qualifications, igniting discussions on modern hiring practices in the tech industry.
3 Sources
3 Sources
Tech Companies Extend Internships Amid Cautious Hiring Climate
In response to a slowdown in tech hiring, companies are extending internship periods and making them mandatory. This shift aims to better evaluate potential employees and reduce hiring risks.
2 Sources
2 Sources
Your one-stop AI hub
The Outpost is a comprehensive collection of curated artificial intelligence software tools that cater to the needs of small business owners, bloggers, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, marketers, writers, and researchers.
The Outpost
Keep in touch
© 2025 TheOutpost.AI All rights reserved