Tech's Big Five Cautious on Salary Hikes, Hiring

Caution on pay hikes as uncertainty prevails; hiring decisions quarter by quarter

- Jas Bardia

The Big Five of India's IT services sector are flashing mixed signals on hiring and pay hikes, at a time when the sector is navigating uncertainties resulting from US President Donald Trump's tariff war.

Low business due to demand uncertainty means salary hikes might be deferred or lower than the previous fiscal, or both.

Mumbai-based Tata Consultancy Services Ltd that gives pay hikes around April-July period has deferred its wage hike plans, citing macroeconomic uncertainty. "Regarding wage hikes, considering the uncertain business environment, we will decide during the year when to make that happen," said Milind Lakkad, TCS's chief HR officer, during the company's post-earnings press interaction on 10 April.

Wipro echoed a similar opinion. Its management said that it would look at hikes later in the year closer to September. "In an uncertain environment, we will decide closer to the date," said Govil.