Key takeaways
- Infosys offers up to ₹21 lakh per annum for freshers in specialized technology roles.
- Higher salaries reflect Infosys's focus on an AI-first operating model and digital skills.
- Expanded opportunities within the Specialist Programmer track increase entry-level roles in IT.
- Freshers must hold relevant degrees in computer science, IT, or select engineering branches.
- The top-end package contrasts with stagnant salaries across the broader IT industry.
Infosys has raised entry-level salaries and is offering compensation packages of up to ₹21 lakh per annum for fresh graduates hired into specialised technology roles, making it the highest starting pay currently offered in India’s IT services sector.
The move was confirmed by Infosys Chief Human Resources Officer Shaji Mathew in a statement to The Financial Express. The story was first reported by Moneycontrol.
The company said the higher pay reflects its push towards an AI-first operating model and the need for deep digital skills at the entry level.
“Infosys continues to lead the industry in championing an AI-first approach across everything we design and deliver for our clients,” Mathew said.
“Achieving this vision requires not only upskilling our existing workforce but also infusing the organisation with digitally native talent with deep expertise and high learnability.”
He added that the company has expanded opportunities within its Specialist Programmer track. “While we have always offered multiple roles for early-career professionals, we have now expanded opportunities within the Specialist Programmer track, including compensation packages of up to ₹21 lakh per annum,” Mathew said.
Infosys is hiring freshers for roles such as Specialist Programmer and Digital Specialist Engineer (trainee).
According to Moneycontrol, compensation is structured as follows: specialist programmer L3 (trainee): ₹21 lakh per annum; specialist programmer L2: ₹16 lakh; specialist programmer L1 (trainee): ₹11 lakh; and digital specialist engineer (trainee): ₹7 lakh.
These roles are open to graduates with BE, BTech, ME, MTech, MCA and integrated MSc degrees, primarily from computer science, IT, and select circuit branches such as ECE and EEE.
The top-end package stands out at a time when fresher salaries across the IT industry have largely remained stagnant.
The company has onboarded 12,000 freshers in the first half of FY26 and expects to meet its target of 20,000 entry-level hires for the year.
Infosys CFO Jayesh Sanghrajka shared the update during the company’s Q2 earnings call on October 16. The firm also reported its fifth consecutive quarter of net headcount growth, adding 8,203 employees in Q2. Total headcount now stands at 3,31,991.
