Given the uncertain environment, Cognizant, like many other companies has yet not decided when to roll out increments for its employees. As per media reports, the company may announce pay hikes by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, it is likely to continue hiring freshers with increased focus on artificial intelligence (AI).
The company reportedly intends to grant salary hikes to most of its employees in the second half of the year.
Earlier this year, in March 2025, the information technology (IT) giant had initiated bonus payouts for 2024, with eligible employees receiving between 85 per cent and 115 per cent of their bonus targets, according to reports. These bonuses represented the highest levels seen in three years, reflecting the company’s commitment to recognising employee contributions.
At the time Cognizant had confirmed that salary hikes (merit pay increases) would take effect on 1 August, 2025. Around that time, Cognizant had addressed reports suggesting a delay in salary hikes, clarifying that the August timeline would be maintained as per the established schedule, “exactly one year after the prior cycle. In fact, with the August 2025 cycle, the majority of our associates will have received five merit increases within the past four years,” a Cognizant spokesperson had stated then.
However, now it is reported that the company has yet to decide when to roll out increments.
The company reportedly hired 7,500 people in Q2, taking the headcount on 30 June to over 3.43 lakh.



