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Salary Guides · India 2026

Know the number before the offer.

CTC ranges across India's top companies, from TCS to Goldman Sachs, freshers to senior engineers.

In-demand salary searches

TCS

Software Engineer · ₹3.4L–₹16L

Ninja · Digital · Prime tracks: three CTC bands

PhysicsWallah

Startup

Software Engineer · ₹10L–₹16L

Safest ESOP among Indian edtech: PW IPO signal lifted equity credibility vs Unacademy/Byju's

Ather Energy

Startup

Hardware / Embedded Engineer · ₹10L–₹16L

Pre-IPO ESOP (IPO filed 2025): Ather is the quality-focused EV brand vs Ola Electric

Siemens India

Startup

Software Engineer · ₹10L–₹16L

German industrial tech GCC: SIE RSU; deep industrial IoT and automation engineering

BlackBuck (Zinka)

Startup

Software Engineer · ₹10L–₹16L

Listed (NSE: ZINKA) since 2024: RSU liquid; India's largest truck marketplace

Yulu

Startup

Software Engineer · ₹10L–₹16L

EV micro-mobility: Bajaj Auto partnership; ESOP; Bengaluru; IoT fleet tech

Fiserv India

Startup

Software Engineer · ₹10L–₹16L

Fintech GCC Pune + Hyderabad; Nasdaq listed; RSU; banking software + payments

HDFC Bank

Service

Relationship Manager · ₹8L–₹14L

No equity: banking stability + variable performance bonus; PF contribution included in CTC

Unacademy

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

ESOP credibility low post-2024 reset: negotiate cash-heavy; discount ESOP in offer valuation

Angel One

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

Listed equity (ANGELONE): RSU credibility solid; fintech trading systems experience valued

ixigo

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

NSE-listed since 2024: ESOP liquidity better than pre-IPO peers; rail search is the core moat

Bajaj Finance

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

NSE listed (BAJFINANCE): NBFC; listed RSU; strong digital banking and lending product team

Tata Motors

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

NSE listed RSU: Tata Motors; diversified automotive + EV; software and hardware engineering

Bosch India (BGSW)

Service

Software Engineer · ₹9L–₹14L

Bosch Global Software Technologies: automotive IoT; one of India's largest R&D centres

Thoughtworks

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

Global IT consultancy: strong engineering culture (TDD, XP); listed TWKS Nasdaq

Ericsson India

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

Telecom giant India GCC: ERIC RSU; 5G and telecom protocol stack engineering

Nokia India

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

Telecom equipment GCC: Nokia Helsinki RSU; cloud RAN and 5G protocol engineering

Shadowfax

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

Gig-logistics unicorn: hyperlocal delivery for major e-commerce; ESOP; Bengaluru

Ecom Express

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

Listed logistics (NSE: ECOMEXPRESS): RSU; e-commerce last-mile delivery tech

HDFC

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹14L

Financial services conglomerate Mumbai; BSE/NSE; mortgage + wealth management tech

LTIMindtree

Service

Software Engineer · ₹5.5L–₹12L

Post-merger comp standardization still ongoing

State Bank of India

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹12L

PSU job stability: SBI bonds 2yr; IT Officer entry ₹8–12L; pension + post-retirement benefits are key

BYJU'S

Service

Software Engineer · ₹7L–₹12L

ESOP value uncertain: BYJU'S post-2024 restructuring; fixed pay stabilising; ESOP credibility very low

GlobalLogic

Service

Software Engineer · ₹8L–₹12L

Hitachi-acquired (2021): product engineering services; Hitachi RSU; strong embedded domain

Persistent Systems

Service

Software Engineer · ₹5.5L–₹11L

Strong in healthcare IT and BFS: above-market for pure IT services

Wipro

Service

Software Engineer · ₹4.5L–₹10L

NLTH · Elite · Turbo: salary varies by track

Cognizant

Service

Software Engineer · ₹5L–₹10L

GenC, GenC Next, GenC Elevate: three fresher bands

Capgemini

Service

Software Engineer · ₹5L–₹10L

InfraServices vs. Insights & Data track differ

NTT Data India

Service

Software Engineer · ₹6L–₹10L

Japanese IT services giant: NTT group; no India equity; comp close to mid-tier IT services

Infosys

Service

Software Engineer · ₹4.5L–₹9.5L

InStep → Systems Engineer → Technical Lead ladder

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Salary FAQs

What is a good salary for a software engineer fresher in India in 2026?

For freshers in India in 2026, salary ranges by company tier: Service companies (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant): ₹3.5–7 LPA depending on track. Mid-tier product companies (Freshworks, Zoho, LTIMindtree): ₹6–12 LPA. Indian startups and unicorns (Razorpay, PhonePe, Meesho, CRED): ₹15–30 LPA. FAANG India campuses (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta) from IIT/NIT: ₹35–60 LPA all-in. These are total CTC figures including variable pay and benefits.

What components make up a software engineer's CTC in India?

Indian tech CTC typically has 4–6 components: (1) Fixed base salary, the guaranteed monthly component. (2) Variable pay, a performance bonus typically 10–20% of base at service companies and 15–30% at product companies. (3) Joining bonus, a one-time payment common when buying out notice period. (4) ESOPs or RSUs, equity at Series B+ startups and public companies, vesting over 4 years with a 1-year cliff. (5) Employer PF contribution, 12% of basic, excluded from gross CTC at some companies. (6) Other allowances such as HRA, transport, and food. Total CTC is the full cost to company; in-hand salary is significantly lower.

How accurate are AmbitionBox and Glassdoor salary figures for Indian companies?

AmbitionBox and Glassdoor India salary data is directionally accurate but has known biases: (1) Self-reporting bias, where employees who are especially happy or unhappy with their salaries over-represent the dataset. (2) Vintage lag, since salary data can be 1–3 years old in fast-moving markets. (3) Variable exclusion, as many self-reported figures exclude variable pay, ESOPs, and joining bonuses. HireStepX sources primarily from AmbitionBox, with Glassdoor as a secondary cross-check where available, and labels each entry with a verification date.

How much can I negotiate above the initial offer in Indian tech?

For most Indian tech companies, counter-offering 15–25% above the initial offer is the standard negotiation range. Service companies (TCS, Infosys, Wipro) have compressed negotiation room for freshers, typically 5–10%. Product startups and unicorns have more room, 15–25% on base, with additional room on joining bonus, ESOPs, and variable cap. FAANG companies in India have structured bands; negotiation works best by requesting the higher end of the band rather than exceeding it. Knowing your BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) before the call is essential.