New Delhi (Economy India): In a major boost for India’s technology job market, IT services giant Infosys has announced plans to hire 21,000 freshers in 2026, offering annual salary packages ranging from ₹7 lakh to ₹21 lakh, depending on the role and skill level. This marks one of the highest entry-level pay scales currently offered in India’s IT sector.
According to industry sources, the hiring drive will primarily target students graduating in 2025-26, with a mix of on-campus and off-campus recruitment.
New Salary Structure: Four Tiers Based on Skill Roles
Infosys has revised its fresher compensation framework into four salary slabs, driven by demand for skills in artificial intelligence, automation, cloud, data engineering, and cybersecurity.
| Role Category | Package (Annual) |
|---|---|
| Specialist Programmer – L3 (Trainee) | ₹21 lakh |
| Specialist Programmer – L2 | ₹16 lakh |
| Specialist Programmer – L1 | ₹11 lakh |
| Digital Specialist Engineer (Trainee) | ₹7 lakh |
Company officials confirmed that the highest package of ₹21 lakh will be offered to candidates selected under the Specialist Programmer L3 category, which involves niche skills and intensive training.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
The hiring pool will include graduates from:
- BE / BTech / ME / MTech
- MCA & Integrated MSc programs
- Branches preferred: Computer Science, IT, ECE, EEE
The company will assess candidates through technical evaluation, coding rounds, and AI-centric aptitude testing.
‘AI-First Strategy’ Driving Hiring Decisions
Infosys Group CHRO Shaji Mathew stated that the improved salary structure reflects the company’s urgent need for talent in emerging technologies:
“We have expanded the Specialist Programmer track where salary packages go up to ₹21 lakh. The demand is driven by our AI-first strategy and investments in digital capabilities.”
With generative AI and automation reshaping global IT services, companies like Infosys are prioritizing roles that require advanced technical skills over conventional entry-level hiring.
Pay Gap Debate: CEO Salaries vs Freshers
Industry comparison data indicates a stark contrast in salary growth trends over the last decade:
- CEO salaries up by 835% (₹3.37 crore → ₹31.5 crore)
- Fresher salaries up by only 45% (₹2.45 lakh → ₹3.55 lakh)
This wage disparity has been a source of concern for engineering graduates for years, making Infosys’ revised compensation structure a significant shift.
Hiring Momentum Despite Sector Layoffs
While the global tech sector has witnessed layoffs and cost rationalisation, Infosys is expanding its talent pool. In FY2026 H1 alone, the company added:
- 12,000 new hires already onboarded
- Total workforce now at 3,31,991 employees
- Target: 21,000+ freshers by the end of FY26
This marks the fifth consecutive quarter of headcount growth for Infosys.
Infosys’ decision to revise fresher salary packages and scale up hiring reflects a renewed confidence in India’s technology talent base, particularly for AI-driven growth. As the company prepares for a digital transition phase, engineering graduates with advanced skills stand to benefit significantly.
(Economy India)
