Cognizant’s Rs 2.52 LPA Salary for Freshers Sparks Outrage Amid CEO’s Record Pay

Cognizant’s Rs 2.52 LPA Salary for Freshers: Cognizant, a prominent American IT services and consulting company, is facing a wave of criticism on social media after announcing its off-campus hiring drive for the 2024 batch. The company’s offer of Rs 2.52 lakh per annum (LPA), equivalent to approximately Rs 21,000 per month before deductions, has triggered a significant debate online.

The Controversial Salary Offer

The announcement, which was shared on social media platforms, stated: “Cognizant has announced an exciting off-campus mass hiring drive and invites applications from the 2024 batch. Application deadline August 14. Package – INR 2.52 LPA.” The offer has quickly become a contentious issue, drawing ire from netizens who are comparing it to the company’s CEO’s substantial earnings.

🚨 Cognizant has announced an exciting off-campus mass hiring drive, welcoming applications from candidates belonging to the 2024 batch.

Application deadline – August 14.
Package – INR 2.52 LPA pic.twitter.com/Btuwf2GoEw

— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) August 13, 2024

The Backlash: Comparisons and Criticisms

Critics are pointing out the stark contrast between the salary offered to freshers and the remuneration of Cognizant’s CEO, who reportedly earns Rs 186 crore annually, making him the highest-paid CEO in India. Social media users are expressing their discontent, questioning the fairness of such a disparity.

Swastika Yadav, a prominent voice on X (formerly Twitter), commented, “Cognizant offers 2.25 LPA to freshers while their CEO’s salary is 186 crores. They offered the same 2.25 lakhs when I was a fresher two decades ago. Why no minimum wage criterion in all sectors?” This sentiment resonates with many who feel that the compensation for entry-level positions is not keeping pace with industry standards or inflation.

Sarcastic Responses and Social Media Memes

The backlash has also taken a humorous turn, with users making sarcastic remarks about the salary. One user joked, “2.25 LPA is too much; they should make it 1.8 LPA. What would a graduate do with such a huge package?” Another commented, “2.52 LPA is so generous. What will they do with that much money? My driver makes more than that, working just 4 days a week. Lol.”

One particularly pointed comment read, “Isse jyada paisa to momo wale ke helper me hai,” highlighting that even a helper at a street food stall earns more than the offered salary, further underlining the perceived inadequacy of the compensation.

The Bigger Picture

This controversy reflects broader issues within the industry regarding salary structures and income disparity. With tech giants often facing scrutiny for their pay scales, Cognizant’s recent offer has intensified the conversation about fair wages and executive compensation.

As the debate continues, it raises important questions about the alignment of salaries with the cost of living and the ethical considerations of high executive pay in contrast to lower entry-level wages.