Wipro has reported a decline in the number of employees earning more than Rs 1 crore annually in India, reflecting the company’s ongoing focus on cost management amid a challenging business environment for the IT services sector.
According to the company’s FY26 annual report, 101 employees fell into the Rs 1 crore-plus salary bracket during the financial year ended March 31, 2026. This marks a decline from 107 employees reported in the previous fiscal year.
The reduction coincided with a fall in Wipro’s overall employee compensation expenses. The company said compensation costs declined by Rs 5.9 billion during FY26. The decrease was primarily driven by a lower average workforce size and reduced per-employee costs. However, the impact was partially offset by salary increments and promotions awarded during the year.
Wipro’s global workforce stood at over 240,000 employees at the end of FY26.
The disclosure comes at a time when India’s technology services industry is navigating slowing demand, growing automation and the rapid adoption of generative AI. IT firms have increasingly prioritised productivity gains, workforce optimisation and investments in emerging technology capabilities while exercising caution on overall costs.
Industry peer Infosys reported 130 employees earning more than Rs 1 crore annually in FY26, indicating that a sizeable group of high earners continues to exist within the sector despite broader cost pressures. Both companies attributed a significant portion of these earnings to stock-based compensation and changes in the valuation of previously granted equity incentives.
The annual report also revealed a decline in senior leadership remuneration. Wipro Chairman Rishad Premji’s compensation dropped by 47 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7.2 crore, largely due to lower variable payouts linked to company performance.
Meanwhile, CEO and managing director Srinivas Pallia received Rs 49.6 crore in FY26, a 7 per cent decline from the previous year. Pallia took charge of the company in April 2024, succeeding former CEO Thierry Delaporte.
