For decades, a job at a top IT company like TCS, Infosys, or Wipro symbolized stability and success for Indian engineers. Today, that image is eroding. In 2025, a growing number of engineers are turning down IT job offers\u2014some even rejecting multiple offers outright. The cause? A lethal combination of low pay, poor work-life balance, toxic internal policies, and lack of real career progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most entry-level IT job offers in India have remained at a stagnant \u20b93.5\u20134 lakh per annum (LPA) for nearly a decade. In an inflationary economy where costs of living have significantly risen, this salary band now seems outdated, even exploitative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“After three years and a promotion, I was earning only \u20b94.2 LPA,” shares an engineer from Pune who recently moved to a startup with double the pay.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, global product companies and startups are offering fresher packages upwards of \u20b910 LPA for the same skills\u2014and often with better working conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPerformance Improvement Plans (PIPs): Weaponised Pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), originally designed to help underperformers, have increasingly become a tool for arbitrary exits. Engineers report being put on PIP with no prior feedback, unrealistic targets, and no real chance of recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“The moment you question poor project management or deny extra hours, you’re threatened with PIP,” says a Bengaluru-based developer.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Such practices are fostering a culture of fear, insecurity, and burnout\u2014causing top talent to walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHigh Workload, Low Ownership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Another major complaint is the repetitive and low-ownership nature of service-based IT work. Engineers often find themselves performing mundane tasks with minimal scope for creativity or decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In contrast, startups and product companies offer roles that allow developers to own features, shape product roadmaps, and grow faster in technical depth and business understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Rise of Alternatives: Startups, Freelancing, and Remote Roles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Indian engineers are no longer dependent on the traditional IT route. Alternatives include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- Product Startups:<\/strong> Offering equity, higher pay, and modern work culture<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Freelancing Platforms:<\/strong> Upwork, Toptal, and Fiverr allow engineers to earn in dollars<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Remote Global Roles:<\/strong> Many engineers are landing high-paying jobs from US, EU, and SEA-based companies without relocating<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n“Why settle for \u20b93.6 LPA when I earn \u20b92.5 lakh\/month working remotely for a fintech company in Singapore?” asks a 25-year-old frontend engineer from Hyderabad.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTCS, Infosys, Wipro: Attrition and Hiring Freezes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Even legacy companies are seeing the impact. TCS, Infosys, and Wipro have all reported:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- High voluntary attrition rates (up to 20%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Delayed onboarding for freshers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reduced campus hiring<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hiring freezes for mid-level roles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
While these firms blame market headwinds, insiders and analysts point to the widening gap between employee expectations and employer delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat Needs to Change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If India\u2019s IT service giants wish to retain their edge and talent, here are the reforms they need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- Revise Entry-Level Salaries:<\/strong> \u20b93.5 LPA is no longer competitive<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reform PIP Practices:<\/strong> Focus on mentorship, not fear<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Offer Skill-Based Growth:<\/strong> Reward innovation and learning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Adopt Remote Flexibility:<\/strong> Hybrid or remote-first models are the future<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Transparent Career Paths:<\/strong> Show engineers where they\u2019re headed and how to get there<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nConclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Indian IT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
India\u2019s engineers are speaking with their feet\u2014and their keyboards. The old IT dream, once held dearly by lakhs of aspiring techies, is being replaced by a desire for meaningful work, global pay, and healthy culture. If India\u2019s IT sector fails to evolve, it risks losing its best minds to newer, nimbler players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The question now is not whether Indian engineers will adapt\u2014they already have. The real question is: will legacy IT companies rise to meet them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFreelancing vs Full-Time Job \u2013 What Will Trend in 2025? <\/a>
\u2018Changing job is not a solution\u2019: Employee placed on PIP for refusing to work during leave days, shares experience
<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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