HCLTech CEO C. Vijayakumar’s Salary Jumps, Surpassing Rivals
HCLTech CEO C. Vijayakumar earned $10.85 million (approx. ₹94.6 crore) in the financial year 2024-25, making him one of the highest-paid executives in the Indian IT sector. According to the company’s annual report, his earnings surpassed those of the heads of larger rivals like TCS and Infosys.
The company’s board has also approved a significant pay increase for Vijayakumar, effective April 1, 2025, which will raise his annual salary to $18.6 million (approx. ₹154 crore). This marks a 71% increase from his FY25 earnings.
How His Pay Compares
Vijayakumar’s FY25 compensation was notably higher than his peers:
- TCS CEO K. Krithivasan: ₹26.52 crore
- Infosys CEO Salil Parekh: ₹80.62 crore
- Wipro CEO Srinivas Pallia: $6.2 million (₹53.64 crore)
- Tech Mahindra CEO Mohit Joshi: ₹53.9 crore
Breakdown of FY25 Earnings
Vijayakumar’s $10.85 million total compensation for FY25 included:
- $1.96 million in base salary
- $1.73 million performance-linked bonus
- $6.96 million from exercised Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
- $0.20 million in benefits and perquisites
Based in the US, Vijayakumar’s remuneration is paid by HCL America Inc., the company’s US subsidiary.
Justification for the Salary Hike
HCLTech stated the substantial increase acknowledges Vijayakumar’s “successful and long-tenured leadership” and significant contributions to the company. Under his leadership since 2016, the company’s market capitalization has grown 3.8 times, reaching ₹4,32,000 crore, while the other top four Indian IT firms grew by an average of 2.5 times during the same period.
The revised compensation package will significantly increase both the fixed and performance-linked components of his salary.