Infosys boosts entry-level salaries for skilled graduates up to $10k

BENGALURU, INDIA — IT giant Infosys recently introduced a new hiring initiative, the “Power Programme,” aimed at attracting top talent from universities.
This strategic move offers fresh graduates a lucrative package of up to ₹ 9 lakh (US$10,000) per year, marking a significant increase from the company’s traditional entry-level salaries, which typically range from ₹ 3 to 3.5 lakh (US$3,600 to US$4,200).
Strategic shift in campus recruitment
The Power Programme is part of Infosys’ broader campus placement strategy, designed to recruit graduates with specialized skills in high-demand areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI (GenAI), and machine learning (ML).
This initiative reflects Infosys’ commitment to staying competitive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Competing for top IT talent
Infosys’ Power Programme is seen as a direct response to similar initiatives by competitors, particularly Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
TCS’ own hiring strategy to secure top-tier talent from the fresh graduate pool, called “Prime,” offers annual compensation packages ranging from ₹ 9 lakh to ₹ 11 lakh (US$10,000 to US$13,000).
TCS Global Head of Talent Acquisition Girish Nandimath explained that the Prime category aims to secure the best talent by offering competitive packages that encourage students to commit to the firm over other companies.
Specialized skills in high demand
The Power Programme is designed to identify and recruit candidates who excel in coding, software challenges, and programming skills.
According to sources familiar with the development, pay packages under this program range from ₹ 4 to 6.5 lakh (US$4,700 to US$7,700), reaching up to Rs 9 lakh for candidates with exceptional skills.
“The focus of these categories of hiring is on coding and software challenges, programming skill testing, and other specialized skill tests for both tests and interviews,” a source told the Economic Times.
Navigating industry challenges
The introduction of the Power Programme comes at a time when the IT industry is facing a subdued demand environment due to a weak macroeconomic climate.
Despite these challenges, Infosys plans to hire between 15,000 and 20,000 graduates in the upcoming fiscal year, while TCS aims to recruit approximately 40,000 freshers.
This move underscores the industry’s shift towards hiring specialized talent in areas like cloud computing, AI/ML, and cybersecurity to support digital transformation projects.
Aggressive campus hiring resumed
After a period of reduced hiring, Infosys is set to resume its campus and off-campus recruitment efforts. The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Jayesh Sanghrajka, highlighted this strategy during the firm’s post-June quarter earnings conference call, emphasizing the shift to an agile hiring base.
This approach reflects the company’s commitment to adapting to the tech industry’s changing demands and securing the talent necessary for future growth.
In conclusion, Infosys’ Power Programme represents a significant step in enhancing its recruitment strategy. It offers competitive salaries to attract and retain top-tier talent in an increasingly competitive market.