In a country where millions of hardworking employees struggle for decades to save even a few lakhs for retirement, the astronomical salary of a single executive has raised serious questions about the widening income gap in India.
We're talking about N. Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman of Tata Sons, whose total annual remuneration for FY 2024–25 soared to a staggering ₹155.81 crore, even as the company’s profit reportedly fell by 24% during the same period.
Let that sink in: A regular Indian employee might save ₹5,000–₹10,000 per month for 10–15 years just to reach a corpus of ₹12 lakh, while Chandrasekaran earned ₹156 crore in a single year — including ₹15 crore in salary and bonuses, and an additional ₹140 crore as commission and performance-based incentives.
This is not just a salary figure — it is a reflection of the growing disparity between India’s economic growth and its ground realities.
The Journey of N. Chandrasekaran
To be fair, Chandrasekaran’s story is often seen as a corporate success model. He began his journey in 1987 as a software programmer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), without a formal management degree, rising purely through technical skill and dedication.
He became CEO of TCS in 2009, under whose leadership the company grew significantly. In 2017, he broke tradition by becoming the first non-Parsi chairman of Tata Sons. His earnings, which were once in the few lakh rupees per year, have now ballooned to ₹156 crore annually, mostly due to performance-linked commissions.
This indeed represents meritocracy and reward for results, but it also raises difficult questions.
Is ₹156 Crore Salary Justified?
The big question remains: Is such a salary justified — especially in a year when the company's profit declined?
Compare it with an average Indian employee earning around ₹15,000 per month or ₹1.8 lakh per year. To match Chandrasekaran's one-year salary, such an employee would need to work for more than 51,900 years.
Let’s put it differently: His salary is over 52,000 times that of a typical worker in India
What Could ₹156 Crore Do for India?
Imagine if this amount was redirected to grassroots development. Here’s what ₹156 crore could potentially achieve:
Skill Training for 6,000 youth across India for a full year
Free engineering education for over 1,000 deserving students
Micro-loans of ₹1.5 lakh each to 10,000+ MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises)
Computer labs in 1,000 government schools, transforming digital literacy in rural India
This isn't about demonizing personal success. It's about recognizing the power of capital when distributed wisely.
The Bigger Issue: India’s Growing Inequality
This salary controversy isn’t just about one man. It’s about the increasing concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, while inflation, job insecurity, and stagnant wages burden the common citizen.
Even though companies like Tata contribute to India’s economic engine, it’s becoming evident that growth is no longer equitable. The rich are getting richer, faster — while the poor are struggling to keep up.
When corporate profits shrink and executive pay skyrockets, it raises red flags about corporate governance, accountability, and the moral compass of India's corporate culture.
Conclusion: Signal of Growth or Symptom of Crisis?
N. Chandrasekaran’s journey remains inspiring — a testament to where hard work can lead. But the gap between the boardroom and the break room has never been wider.
Is this the new India we are building — one where success is celebrated, but equality is forgotten?
The ₹156 crore salary is not just a number. It symbolizes a deeper question about the direction of India’s economic future. One where GDP may be rising, but so is the inequality.
