Bengaluru entrepreneur defends low salary packages amid criticism of freshers' skills

Cognizant, a major player in the tech industry, has come under fire after it was revealed that the company offered a salary of Rs 2.5 lakh per annum (LPA) to engineering freshers during a large-scale hiring initiative.

Social media users have widely criticized the offer, arguing that it is insufficient for skilled labor. One commenter on X pointed out that even drivers earn more than this amount.

Amidst the backlash, Vatsal Sanghvi, a Bengaluru-based entrepreneur and founder of 1811 Labs, defended Cognizant’s salary offer.

He argued that the low salary should be seen as a "training stipend" rather than a full salary, emphasizing that the company is committed to providing thorough training for freshers.

Sanghvi expressed his views on X, stating, "The quality of freshers is often so poor that even Rs 20k per month is an overpayment. Many freshers lack basic professional communication skills, struggle with coding, and do not know how to behave in a professional environment."

He further justified Cognizant’s decision, pointing out that it is an open market and freshers should not apply if they do not find the offer fair. He also suggested that there are plenty of opportunities for growth if individuals focus on developing their skills.

Sanghvi concluded his post with a critique of the broader societal attitude, saying, "We, as a country, want easy money, and those sitting in comfortable offices have opinions on everything without understanding the ground reality."

His comments sparked a strong reaction online. One user suggested that companies should invest in training students during college, perhaps through weekend courses or exclusive partnerships with institutions, to better prepare them for the workforce. Another user highlighted that the issue is not just about the skills of freshers but also about the stagnant salary offers, noting that the package offered today is the same as what was offered in 2006, without accounting for inflation.

However, some users supported Sanghvi’s perspective, arguing that the salary is still above many other jobs and that minimum wage should not be sector-specific. One user pointed out that if individuals find the offer too low, they are free to seek other opportunities or even start their own ventures.

As the debate continues, Cognizant has yet to respond to the widespread criticism.