
Who are the top-paid senior execs in India in FY25 as highest salary hits ₹148 crore?
The Indian corporate world has witnessed a significant surge in salaries for senior executives in the financial year (FY) 2025. The highest-paid executive among India-listed firms in FY25 was Persistent Systems CEO Sandeep Kalra, who earned an astonishing ₹148.09 crore, according to a recent report by CNBC-TV18.
Kalra’s massive compensation package is not only a reflection of his company’s financial performance but also a testament to the growing trend of increasing executive pay in India. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the top-paid senior executives in India in FY25 and explore the factors that contribute to their massive salaries.
The Top 5 Highest-Paid Senior Executives in India in FY25
Here are the top 5 highest-paid senior executives in India in FY25:
- Sandeep Kalra, CEO, Persistent Systems: Kalra’s compensation package stood at ₹148.09 crore, making him the highest-paid executive in India in FY25. Persistent Systems is a leading provider of digital transformation and enterprise software solutions, and Kalra’s compensation reflects the company’s strong financial performance.
- Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero Motocorp: Munjal, the founder and executive chairman of Hero Motocorp, earned a compensation package of ₹109.41 crore. Hero Motocorp is one of the largest two-wheeler manufacturers in the world, and Munjal’s compensation reflects the company’s strong financial performance and his role as its chairman.
- Rajeev Jain, MD, Bajaj Finance: Jain, the managing director of Bajaj Finance, earned a compensation package of ₹102.10 crore. Bajaj Finance is one of the largest non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India, and Jain’s compensation reflects the company’s strong financial performance and his role as its managing director.
- C Vijayakumar, CEO, HCLTech: Vijayakumar, the CEO of HCLTech, earned a compensation package of ₹94.6 crore. HCLTech is a leading provider of IT services and consulting, and Vijayakumar’s compensation reflects the company’s strong financial performance and his role as its CEO.
- Murali Divi, MD, Divis Labs: Divi, the managing director of Divis Labs, earned a compensation package of ₹88.15 crore. Divis Labs is a leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical products, and Divi’s compensation reflects the company’s strong financial performance and his role as its managing director.
What Contributes to Their Massive Salaries?
So, what contributes to these massive salaries? There are several factors that contribute to the compensation packages of these senior executives:
- Company Performance: The financial performance of the company is a major factor in determining the compensation package of senior executives. Companies that perform well financially tend to reward their executives with higher salaries and bonuses.
- Role and Responsibility: The role and responsibility of the executive also play a significant factor in determining their compensation package. CEOs and managing directors of large companies tend to earn higher salaries than other executives.
- Industry Trends: Industry trends also play a significant role in determining executive salaries. For example, the IT industry has seen a significant surge in salaries in recent years, driven by the growing demand for digital transformation and cloud computing services.
- Market Conditions: Market conditions also play a significant role in determining executive salaries. For example, companies that operate in highly competitive industries may need to pay higher salaries to attract and retain top talent.
Conclusion
The top-paid senior executives in India in FY25 are a testament to the growing trend of increasing executive pay in the country. Companies that perform well financially tend to reward their executives with higher salaries and bonuses, and the role and responsibility of the executive also play a significant factor in determining their compensation package. Industry trends and market conditions also play a significant role in determining executive salaries.
It is worth noting that while these salaries may seem astronomical, they are not necessarily excessive. Many of these companies are publicly traded and are required to disclose their executive compensation packages as part of their financial reports. Additionally, these companies are required to follow strict corporate governance guidelines and regulations, which ensure that executive compensation packages are reasonable and justifiable.
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