IT player Cognizant has addressed the recent uproar over its salary offers to freshers, clarifying that the widely circulated figure of Rs 2.52 lakh per annum is intended for non-engineering graduates with three-year undergraduate degrees, not engineering graduates.
The company explained in a statement that this distinction was lost in the public discourse, leading to misconceptions about its compensation practices. Surya Gummadi, Executive Vice President and President of Cognizant Americas, said in a statement that the reported salary offer was specifically for candidates with non-engineering backgrounds and emphasized that engineering graduates receive starting salaries ranging from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 12 lakh per annum, depending on their skills and certifications. Gummadi reassured that these packages are competitive within the IT services sector.
In response to concerns about salary hikes, Cognizant pointed out that the recent increments, which faced criticism for being as low as 1 per cent, actually fall within a 1-5 per cent range, determined by individual performance and industry trends.
The company highlighted that these increases represent the fourth salary hike for many associates over the past three years. Cognizant also noted that it is among the few IT companies in India to have delivered increments and bonuses this year, underscoring its dedication to its workforce.
Cognizant reaffirmed its long-term investment in India, which remains central to its operations, with over 70 per cent of its global workforce based in the country. Recent expansions in Bhubaneshwar, Indore, and Hyderabad are part of the company’s strategy to bring offices closer to employees and continue investing in their development.
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