A recent social media post highlighting stagnant salaries at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
has stirred significant discussion online. Shared by Shashank Rustagi, the post has amassed
over a million views on X (formerly Twitter), revealing his experience with TCS’s salary
structure.
Rustagi shared that in 2019, he was offered a starting salary of Rs 21,000 per month by TCS,
while his living expenses were Rs 30,000, putting him in a difficult financial position.
Rustagi further claimed that despite inflation and rising living costs, TCS has not adjusted its
entry-level salaries. According to him, new hires still receive the same Rs 21,000 monthly
salary as he did five years ago.
The post has resonated with many in the tech industry, with several professionals sharing
similar experiences. Jatin, a user on X, commented, “My first offer from TCS during an
off-campus drive in 2013 was Rs 21,000.” Another user, Bhavan, noted, “I was also offered
Rs 21,000 by TCS in 2011. It’s surprising to see the entry package has hardly changed.”
The issue appears to be widespread, with other major IT firms being mentioned. One
individual noted that their salary at IBM in 2013 was also Rs 21,000. Others mentioned
stagnant salaries at companies like Wipro and Tech Mahindra. One user stated, “I joined Tech
Mahindra in 2006 with a salary of Rs 73,000 per annum. It’s shocking that salaries have
hardly increased in nearly 18 years.”
This debate has sparked a discussion on corporate salary practices. Critics argue that stagnant
salaries amount to corporate exploitation, with one commenter stating, “The market pays
what it can get away with, as there are enough people willing to accept these jobs at these
rates.” Others argue that this situation reflects broader market dynamics rather than
exploitation. Kamal Kumar commented, “Companies still attract thousands of new graduates.
When there is an oversupply, salaries remain low.”
