Infosys has significantly raised the compensation benchmark for entry-level talent by offering packages of up to ₹21 lakh per annum to select freshers with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities. The move signals a shift in how large IT services firms are valuing specialised AI skills amid intensifying competition for talent and rapid adoption of AI across enterprise operations.
The compensation offer represents a notable departure from traditional fresher salary structures within India’s IT services sector, where entry-level packages have historically followed relatively standardised bands. By creating a premium tier for top AI talent, Infosys is responding to changing market dynamics where demand for advanced skills increasingly outpaces supply.
The initiative is aimed at graduates who demonstrate strong capabilities in areas such as machine learning, generative AI, data engineering and applied AI systems. These skills are becoming central to enterprise transformation as clients seek to integrate AI into core business processes rather than treat it as an experimental add-on.
Infosys has been steadily expanding its AI and digital capabilities, positioning itself as a partner for large-scale enterprise AI adoption. As part of this strategy, the company has invested in building internal AI platforms, reskilling its workforce and aligning service offerings with emerging client needs. Attracting high-quality entry-level talent is viewed as a critical component of sustaining this momentum.
The decision reflects broader changes in the global technology labour market. AI specialists, including those at early stages of their careers, are increasingly sought after by technology firms, startups and enterprises across sectors. This competition has driven up compensation, particularly for roles that require both technical depth and practical application skills.
For Infosys, offering higher packages to select freshers serves multiple objectives. It helps the company compete with global technology firms and well-funded startups that often attract top graduates. It also signals to the market that Infosys is serious about building cutting-edge AI capabilities internally rather than relying solely on lateral hiring.
Industry observers note that while the ₹21 lakh package will apply to a limited number of candidates, its symbolic impact is significant. It challenges long-standing perceptions of IT services firms as offering modest entry-level compensation compared to product companies. This could influence how graduates evaluate career options in the technology sector.
The move also highlights a growing divergence within fresher hiring. Rather than treating all entry-level recruits uniformly, companies are increasingly segmenting roles based on skill criticality. Advanced AI roles command premium compensation, while more traditional technology roles may continue to follow established salary bands.
Infosys’ focus on AI talent aligns with rising client demand for AI-led transformation. Enterprises are seeking partners who can help deploy AI responsibly at scale, integrating it into workflows, customer engagement and decision-making. This requires talent that can work across model development, deployment and governance.
The company has been vocal about the need to build a future-ready workforce. Alongside hiring, Infosys has invested heavily in internal training and upskilling programmes to prepare employees for AI-driven roles. The fresher compensation initiative complements these efforts by ensuring a pipeline of high-calibre talent from the outset.
From a broader industry perspective, the move reflects intensifying competition among Indian IT services firms to reposition themselves in the AI era. Traditional cost-arbitrage models are giving way to value-led services, where expertise and innovation drive margins. Talent plays a central role in this transition.
The higher pay offer may also have ripple effects across the sector. Competing firms may feel pressure to reassess their own compensation structures for specialised roles. This could gradually reshape salary benchmarks for entry-level AI positions across the industry.
At the same time, the move raises questions about long-term sustainability. Premium compensation must be matched by meaningful work, career growth and opportunities to apply skills at scale. Retaining top AI talent will require ongoing investment in projects, platforms and leadership support.
Infosys’ approach suggests a recognition that early-career professionals with strong AI skills can deliver disproportionate value. By investing in them early, the company aims to build long-term capability rather than relying solely on experienced hires.
The initiative also reflects changing expectations among graduates. Today’s technology graduates are increasingly selective, prioritising learning opportunities, exposure to advanced technologies and competitive compensation. Companies that fail to adapt risk losing out on top talent.
From a martech and enterprise technology standpoint, the emphasis on AI skills underscores how deeply AI is influencing business models. Marketing, customer experience and analytics functions are increasingly AI-driven, requiring talent that understands both technology and business context.
Infosys’ move could also influence academic institutions and training providers. As demand for AI skills rises, curricula may increasingly focus on practical, industry-relevant capabilities that improve employability and earning potential.
The company has not indicated plans to broadly revise fresher compensation across all roles. Instead, the premium offer is targeted, reinforcing the idea that AI skills are becoming a strategic differentiator rather than a baseline requirement.
As AI adoption accelerates globally, competition for talent is likely to intensify further. Companies that proactively invest in attracting and developing AI professionals may gain a competitive edge in delivering next-generation services.
Infosys’ decision to offer ₹21 lakh packages to select freshers reflects a broader recalibration of talent strategy in the AI era. It signals recognition that the future of enterprise technology will be shaped as much by people as by platforms.
While the immediate impact will be felt among a small cohort of hires, the longer-term implications could influence how the IT services industry values and nurtures AI talent. The move underscores a shift toward skill-based differentiation in an industry undergoing structural change.
As the technology landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like this highlight how compensation strategies are adapting to reflect the strategic importance of emerging skills. For Infosys, the investment represents a bet on the next generation of AI-driven growth.