Cognizant to Offer Salary Hikes to 80% Employees from November 1

Cognizant Technology Solutions, the US-headquartered IT services company with a strong base in India, has announced that it will roll out salary hikes for 80% of its eligible employees, effective November 1, 2025. The move comes after the company had earlier delayed salary increases due to global uncertainties.

Top Performers to Get Bigger Hikes

According to news reports, the hikes will apply to employees up to and including Senior Associate levels, and the percentage increase will depend on individual performance and location. In India, Cognizant’s top performers can expect hikes in the high single digits.

Cognizant’s Peers Delay Hikes

Cognizant’s decision comes at a time when other major IT firms are taking a cautious approach.

• TCS, India’s largest IT company, has deferred salary hikes indefinitely and announced plans to lay off 2% of its workforce (about 12,000 employees).
• Infosys, the second-largest Indian IT company, gave out hikes in April but hasn’t announced any further raises.
• Wipro is also holding off on salary increases until it sees a clearer demand environment.

In comparison, Cognizant’s move stands out as a positive sign for employees, especially in a time when job uncertainty is growing in the tech sector.

Cognizant Q1 FY26 Earnings Results and Hiring Plans

Cognizant reported strong financial results in the April–June quarter with a 14% jump in net profit and an 8.1% rise in revenue, touching $5.25 billion. The company even raised its full-year revenue forecast to between $20.7 and $21.1 billion.

Cognizant also added 7,500 new employees, mostly freshers in India, during the June quarter. The company plans to hire 15,000 to 20,000 freshers in 2025.

Read more: TCS Share Price Tanks 28% YOY Amid 13.8% Attrition Spike: Can There Be A Connection?

Conclusion

Cognizant’s decision to offer salary hikes in November is a strong signal of confidence, especially when the broader IT industry is facing uncertain demand. By focusing on rewarding performance and continuing to hire fresh talent, the company is staying competitive and showing long-term commitment to its workforce.

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