In a remarkable display of executive earnings in India’s tech landscape, HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar has emerged as the highest-paid top executive among India’s IT giants, earning a total compensation of $10.85 million (₹90 crore approx) in the fiscal year 2024–25 (FY25). This surpasses the earnings of the CEOs of India’s largest IT firms, TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) and Infosys, positioning Vijayakumar at the top of the remuneration chart in the Indian IT sector.
The substantial paycheck, revealed through HCLTech’s latest annual filing, includes base salary, variable pay, long-term incentives (stock options and performance-linked bonuses), and perquisites. It not only highlights the increasing global ambitions of Indian IT leaders but also underscores the growing importance of performance-based incentives tied to shareholder value and international expansion.
Breakdown of C Vijayakumar’s FY25 Compensation
C Vijayakumar’s $10.85 million package includes various components that reflect both his operational leadership and long-term impact on the company’s performance in global markets.
| Compensation Component | Amount (USD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $2.1 million | Fixed annual compensation |
| Variable Performance Pay | $2.5 million | Based on company performance and targets |
| Stock Incentives/Equity Grants | $5.5 million | Long-term retention-based compensation |
| Perquisites and Others | $0.75 million | Includes benefits, allowances, insurance, etc. |
| Total Package (FY25) | $10.85 million | Highest among Indian IT company CEOs |
Notably, the lion’s share of Vijayakumar’s remuneration came from performance-based equity awards and stock options, reflecting HCLTech’s focus on long-term value creation.
How Vijayakumar’s Pay Compares With Other Indian IT CEOs
When juxtaposed with other industry stalwarts, C Vijayakumar’s earnings significantly outpace the compensation packages of TCS CEO K Krithivasan and Infosys CEO Salil Parekh.
| CEO | Company | FY25 Total Compensation (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| C Vijayakumar | HCLTech | $10.85 million |
| Salil Parekh | Infosys | $6.73 million |
| K Krithivasan | TCS | $3.4 million |
| Thierry Delaporte | Wipro | $10.1 million |
| Rajesh Gopinathan* | TCS (FY24, former) | $3.7 million |
*Rajesh Gopinathan stepped down in 2023; included for comparison.
Vijayakumar’s pay is reflective of HCLTech’s rising global clout and transformation journey, especially its aggressive positioning in cloud, cybersecurity, AI, and digital engineering services.
Why the High Pay?
Vijayakumar’s salary spike is closely aligned with HCLTech’s global expansion, deal wins, and steady revenue growth despite macroeconomic headwinds. Under his leadership:
- HCLTech crossed $13 billion in annual revenue in FY25
- Secured multiple large-scale multi-year digital transformation contracts
- Expanded its footprint in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia
- Grew its cloud and GenAI capabilities with strategic partnerships and acquisitions
- Achieved high client retention and repeat business across verticals
His leadership has been instrumental in elevating HCLTech’s position as the third-largest IT firm in India, and placing it among the top global IT services firms.
Industry Trends: Performance-Linked CEO Compensation
The trend in IT sector executive compensation has shifted significantly toward performance-linked and equity-based pay structures, especially for CEOs operating in global markets. Companies are rewarding leaders who successfully navigate technological disruptions, geopolitical risks, and recessionary challenges while ensuring shareholder returns and digital reinvention.
| Metric | Importance in CEO Pay | How Vijayakumar Performed |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth | High | > 7.3% YoY growth in FY25 |
| Margin Management | High | Maintained EBIT margin at 18.5% |
| Total Contract Value (TCV) Wins | Very High | Over $9 billion in TCV booked |
| Innovation & Tech Adoption | Medium-High | Significant GenAI investments |
| Employee Retention & Attrition | Medium | Reduced attrition to industry low |
| Market Expansion | High | Strong entry into ASEAN & LATAM |
HCLTech’s Market Outlook
With the IT industry evolving at breakneck speed, driven by AI, quantum computing, 5G, and cybersecurity, companies like HCLTech are placing bigger bets on leadership stability and aggressive innovation.
FY25 key developments for HCLTech include:
- Establishing an AI and Innovation Lab in Toronto
- Launch of a proprietary enterprise-grade GenAI platform
- Expansion of employee base to over 235,000 globally
- Net profit growth of 8.2% YoY, beating analyst expectations
Vijayakumar’s leadership is being credited for consistent execution and navigating a highly volatile macroeconomic environment, especially across Europe and the US—two of HCLTech’s biggest markets.
Shareholder Reaction and Corporate Governance
Investor sentiment has largely been positive regarding the CEO’s earnings, given the parallel growth in revenue, margins, and total shareholder returns. Institutional shareholders continue to back the board’s decision, as value creation has matched or exceeded industry benchmarks.
Still, questions around executive pay in contrast with average employee salaries continue to linger across India Inc. HCLTech addressed this by announcing employee retention initiatives, including skilling programs and equity-linked incentives at mid-management levels.
Expert View
Industry experts view C Vijayakumar’s compensation as a symbol of India’s growing influence in global technology leadership. With Indian CEOs now heading global tech behemoths like Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Adobe, home-grown leaders commanding global-level compensation is a natural evolution.
Moreover, his sustained leadership since 2016—rare in the churn-heavy tech executive world—has enabled a long-term strategic vision to take root and deliver.
What It Means for Aspiring Indian IT Executives
The sharp rise in executive pay structures, especially those driven by global exposure, digital transformation success, and value creation, signals a new era for Indian tech leadership. Professionals aiming for the C-suite must now focus on:
- Cross-functional expertise in cloud, cybersecurity, AI, and automation
- Global client relationship management
- Resilience in change management and crisis handling
- Shareholder alignment and ethical leadership
Conclusion
HCLTech’s CEO C Vijayakumar has not only emerged as the highest-paid IT executive in India for FY25 but also as a symbol of global tech leadership from India. His $10.85 million compensation reflects both the scale of challenges he has tackled and the successes he has driven in a hyper-competitive industry.
With Indian IT services continuing to evolve from outsourcing hubs to innovation leaders, Vijayakumar’s leadership stands as a blueprint for performance-driven, globally-aligned, and digitally-empowered executive stewardship.
Disclaimer: The compensation figures, comparisons, and corporate performance data provided in this article are based on publicly available financial statements and corporate disclosures. This article does not constitute financial advice or insider information.
