Indian corporate sector has witnessed a change in remuneration packages for its business executives who have been paid large remuneration packages. Competitive compensation is offered by companies in different sectors like IT, finance, automobiles, and manufacturing to attract experienced executives.
By 2026, the pay package of executives consists of performance bonuses, commission, and stock options besides the salary of an executive. It is necessary to understand the structure because the reported remuneration of the CEO will vary widely from their annual salary.
The following is the list of 15 executives that were reported in a compensation list during FY2024–25. These figures are for comparison in 2026, but one should not take these figures as a rank list in terms of FY2025–26 earnings.
1. N. Chandrasekaran – Tata Sons
FY2024-25 reported remuneration: ₹155.81 crore
Mr N. Chandrasekaran is the Executive Chairman of Tata Sons, which is the main holding company of Tata Group.
Mr. N. Chandrasekaran looks after various activities in automobile industry, IT, steel, and the consumer goods industry. His career has witnessed him being a CEO of Tata Consultancy Services followed by Chairman at Tata Sons.
2. Sandeep Kalra – Persistent Systems
Remuneration for FY2024-25: ₹148.09 crore
Sandeep Kalra is the CEO and Executive Director of Persistent Systems, an Indian technology services firm.
His responsibilities comprise business growth, digital engineering, and international business operations. The estimated remuneration of Sandeep for FY2025-26 amounted to ₹388.58 crore, including substantial advantages from stock options.
3. Pawan Munjal – Hero MotoCorp
Remuneration for FY2024-25: ₹109.41 crore
Pawan Munjal holds the position of Executive Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, an eminent two-wheeler producer in India.
Professional responsibilities of Pawan include production operations, international operations and product development.
The activities of Hero MotoCorp business include production of motorcycles, scooters and products related to the idea of electric mobility.
4. Rajeev Jain – Bajaj Finance
Remuneration for FY2024-25: ₹102.10 crore
An influential person behind the development of Bajaj Finance, an Indian non-banking financial company, is Rajeev Jain.
Professional responsibilities of Rajeev Jain include consumer lending, financial and business operations.
The remuneration of Bajaj Finance demonstrates considerable executive remuneration in the financial services industry in India.
5. C. Vijayakumar – HCLTech
FY2024-25 Remuneration reported: ₹94.60 crore
C. Vijayakumar is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of HCLTech.
He has a vast knowledge of information technology, digital transformation, and enterprise services.
FY2025-26 Remuneration reported by him was around ₹171.93 crore, thus showing that the remuneration can change year after year.
6. Murali K. Divi – Divi’s Laboratories
FY2024-25 Remuneration reported: ₹88.15 crore
Murali K. Divi is the Founder and Managing Director of Divi’s Laboratories, which is a pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
His business dealings are centered around pharmaceutical ingredients and manufacturing process.
FY2025-26 Remuneration reported by him was around ₹100.26 crore, where profit-sharing commissions formed a major portion.
7. Salil Parekh – Infosys
FY2024-25 Remuneration reported: ₹80.62 crore
Salil Parekh is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Infosys, an Indian information technology service company.
His areas of responsibility include international business development, technology services and strategy formation.
8. S. N. Subrahmanyan – Larsen & Toubro
Reported remuneration for FY2024-25: ₹76.25 crore
S. N. Subrahmanyan is connected with the leadership of Larsen & Toubro, an engineering and infrastructure firm.
His career has revolved around the management of construction, engineering and industrial operations.
His reported remuneration for FY2025-26 increased to ₹120.84 crore.
9. Vinay Prakash – Adani Enterprises
Reported remuneration for FY2024-25: ₹69.34 crore
Vinay Prakash is an executive associated with Adani Enterprises and its natural resources divisions.
His professional duties include mining operations, resource management and infrastructure operations.
This inclusion proves the representation of executives from natural resources divisions amongst India’s highly paid corporate executives.
10. Rajiv Bajaj – Bajaj Auto
Reported remuneration for FY2024-25: ₹58.60 crore
Rajiv Bajaj is the Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, an automobile maker in India.
He has been a part of Bajaj’s motorcycle division, international operations and product planning.
His professional career signifies the importance of executive management in India’s automobile manufacturing sector.
11. Mohit Joshi – Tech Mahindra
Reported remuneration for FY2024-25: ₹53.90 crore
Mohit Joshi is the CEO and MD of Tech Mahindra.
Prior to this, he was responsible for leadership roles at Infosys.
His career experience includes technology consulting, financial services and international business operations.
12. Srinivas Pallia – Wipro
FY2024–25 remuneration reported: ₹53.60 crore
Srinivas Pallia is the CEO and Managing Director of Wipro.
The individual has a wealth of professional experience in the field of information technology services.
The responsibilities include business operations, relations with clients and organisational strategy.
13. Nitin Rakesh – Mphasis
FY2024–25 remuneration reported: ₹52.70 crore
Nitin Rakesh is the CEO and Managing Director of Mphasis.
His professional experience comprises expertise in technology services, digital transformation and financial technology.
He has worked with the international business and technology development of the firm.
14. K. Krithivasan – Tata Consultancy Services
FY2024–25 remuneration reported: ₹26.52 crore
K. Krithivasan is the CEO and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services.
He has plenty of professional experience in technology services and was previously responsible for banking and financial services at the company.
He manages one of the largest Indian companies in information technology services.
15. T. V. Narendran – Tata Steel
FY2024–25 remuneration reported: ₹17.45 crore
T. V. Narendran is the CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel.
The responsibilities of the person include production of steel, business operations and international industry operations.
My Personal Favourite
The aspect that I find interesting with respect to executive pay packages is the contrast between fixed salaries and performance-based rewards.
I especially like learning about stock options and long-term incentives, as they show how compensation packages vary among industries.
The careers of these individuals also show how diverse the backgrounds of executives in India are.
Conclusion
India boasts executives in technology, finance, automobile, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries who receive high pay packages.
The data for the financial year 2024-25 provides some historical perspective, whereas the more recent data for the financial year 2025-26 demonstrates how much executive pay packages can change.
It is important to know about the financial year and the difference between salary, bonuses, and equity in order to compare executive pay packages in 2026.
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