'How Can One Survive?' Techie's Viral Post On Stagnant Salary At TCS Sparks Debate

The increasing costs of living, including accommodation, food, and travel, have made survival more challenging, especially for individuals with stagnant wages in metro cities. This issue was highlighted in a recent viral post focusing on one of India’s top IT companies, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

Shashank Rustagi shared his experience on X, revealing that during his tenure at TCS in 2019, he was offered a salary of Rs 21,000 per month. However, his living expenses at the time amounted to Rs 30,000, significantly exceeding his earnings as a fresher. Rustagi noted a concerning aspect: TCS continues to offer the same Rs 21,000 per month compensation even after five years, despite inflation.

“My TCS salary was 21K. My expenses were 30K. This was back in 2019. The worst part is they still offer the same package now,” Rustagi wrote on X.

Since being shared two days ago, Rustagi’s post has garnered significant attention online, sparking a discussion about stagnant salaries. Many users pointed out that the issue isn’t limited to TCS but extends to other companies as well.

One user shared their experience with Tech Mahindra: “As a matter of perspective I joined Tech Mahindra in 2006 on 3.0 LPA. I am shocked that the salaries have barely moved in almost 18 years.”

Another commented, “Bro, my cousin got a job in IT in 2004 at 22,000 per month. And that was also not that great a company at that time.”

Concerns Over Living Costs

A user highlighted the rising living costs in metro cities: “In Bangalore, you will get 1 BHK for 21k these days. Plus food, transport, and medical emergency costs etc. How can one survive?”

Several others shared similar experiences:

“My first ever ‘offer’ was from TCS from an off-campus drive. They were offering 21K all the way back in 2013 as well.”
“21K was my TCS salary too in 2011. However, at that time I was able to manage the expenses.”

“Sad part of this is most employees will be doing idiotic tasks which are completely irrelevant.”

Different Perspectives

While many voiced their frustrations, some offered different perspectives. A person shared, “It just means your lifestyle didn’t match your salary.” Another remarked, “It totally depends on the lifestyle... anyone can easily manage to spend under 15-18K a month even living in Bangalore today.”

Someone questioned the high expenses: “I agree that the minimum package needs to be increased. But 30K expense at the beginning of the career? I would understand the expense if it were a family.”

The discussion sparked by Rustagi’s post highlights the growing concern over stagnant wages amidst rising living costs, a challenge faced by many employees in metro cities. The debate continues, with varied opinions on how individuals manage their finances and the need for companies to reassess their compensation structures.