Delhi techie's 8x salary jump from ₹5.5 LPA to ₹45 LPA in just a year sparks mixed reactions

Time of India

2 days ago

A recent social media post by a young software engineer from Delhi has grabbed attention across the tech world, especially among job seekers and professionals. It wasn't about a new role, promotion, or relocation– but about a massive salary jump.
Just one year after starting his career with a package of ₹5.5 lakh per annum, he landed an offer worth ₹45 lakh per annum from a leading tech company.
This update, shared by software developer Devesh on X (formerly Twitter), quickly stirred up conversations online– drawing a mix of support, admiration, skepticism, and surprise.
Devesh started his career at IBM in 2023, straight out of college, with an annual salary of ₹5.5 lakh.
In his now-viral post, he revealed, 'I started my full-time career last year at IBM with just a CTC of Rs 5.5 LPA, and now have an offer of over Rs 45 LPA CTC in hand within a year.'
The significant jump in salary stood out not just for its size, but because it came so early in Devesh's career– a time when most are still finding their footing and figuring out their path.
For Devesh, the achievement carried deep emotional value. Coming from a modest background, the leap wasn't just about money– it was a personal milestone.
'For a middle-class guy like me, it's still a dream,' he added, a moment that resonated with many, especially those who understand the long journey and constant push for upward mobility in India's highly competitive tech industry.
Responding to the buzz around his post, Devesh shared a message for freshers and early-career professionals. He encouraged them to focus on building skills and gaining hands-on experience, rather than running after high salaries straight out of college.
'In starting of your career, prioritise job over money. If you are not getting a good package, just enter with low and work so hard that you take a massive jump,' he wrote in a follow-up post.
Many were curious how someone earning ₹5.5 LPA could receive an offer more than eight times higher. Devesh clarified that top-tier tech companies usually follow structured salary bands, where offers are based more on skills and role requirements than on a candidate's previous salary.
'Those people who have a doubt, like how it is possible to directly jump from CTC like Rs 5–6 LPA to Rs 45 LPA– the MAANG or FAANG companies have their base pay and CTC preset. So it's similar for everyone. They won't judge you on your previous pay,' he clarified.
Devesh's journey sparked mixed reactions online. While many applauded his success and asked for advice on career growth, others reacted with skepticism and raised questions about how such a leap was possible.
'45 LPA offer within a year? That's incredible. Can you share some tips?' one user commented. Another wrote, 'How do you negotiate? Any recruiter looking at your current Rs 5.5 LPA would say, 'We can give you an increment of 25% max'. How did you convince them?'
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here were also outright doubts about the authenticity of such a jump. 'What did you do to get such a hike? Seems unreal,' read one of the more critical responses.
While Devesh's case is not the norm, it highlights a growing trend among top tech companies– valuing talent and skills over past salary. Although he hasn't named the company, the details of his offer and his explanation have added perspective to the ongoing discussion.
For many early-career professionals, his story serves as both inspiration and a reality check, showing that while such leaps are rare, they're possible with the right skills and opportunities.