Cognizant’s latest recruitment drive for fresh graduates has triggered a strong reaction online, with the company offering a starting annual package of Rs 2.52 lakh and setting the application deadline for August 14. The job listing, announced via the Indian Tech & Infra handle on August 13, has not been well-received by many aspiring IT professionals.
Social media users have expressed dissatisfaction with the offered salary, criticizing it as inadequate given the cost of living in major cities. Comments on the post ranged from sarcasm to frustration, with one user stating, “2.52 LPA is very generous. What will the graduates do with so much money?” Another remarked, “This package was offered to 2002 batches. No house, no free commute, no free food. All this to be managed in just 18 to 19K rupees after PF deduction in metro cities.”
🚨 Cognizant has announced an exciting off-campus mass hiring drive, welcoming applications from candidates belonging to the 2024 batch.
Application deadline – August 14.
Package – INR 2.52 LPA pic.twitter.com/Btuwf2GoEw— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) August 13, 2024
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The low compensation has prompted comparisons with other professions, with one user noting, “Wow, 2 lakhs per year? My driver makes way more than that, working just 4 days a week. Lol.” Another comment criticized the trend of accepting low salaries, saying, “People are normalizing less pay by saying it’s better than nothing.”
Some users took a humorous approach, suggesting that the low salary is driving Gen Alpha to seek fame on social media platforms, with one quipping, “2.5 LPA? No wonder Gen Alpha wants to make reels and aspires to be a successful YouTuber.”
An elaborate breakdown of living expenses in metro cities highlighted the disparity between the offered salary and the cost of living. A user shared, “Salary: 20k/month. Location: Pune, Bangalore, NCR. Basic Expenses: Rent: 10k, Food: 12k, Transportation: 3k-5k. For basic living, it costs 22k-25k. This is too low for skilled labor!”
In the midst of the social media backlash, Cognizant is set to make headlines for a different reason. The IT giant will lay the foundation for a new 10 lakh sqft campus in Hyderabad on August 14, a project expected to create an additional 15,000 jobs.
