After 4 Years at TCS, Techie Claims He Got Just ₹422 Monthly Salary Hike

A Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee has gone viral online after revealing that he received a mere ₹422 salary hike per month despite working at the company for four years. Calling it “exploitation on steroids,” the employee’s story has triggered widespread anger and debate about poor salary increments in the Indian IT sector.

Employee Shares Frustration on Reddit

The anonymous employee took to Reddit to share his experience, saying he joined TCS in 2021 as part of a support project, which he described as “straight-up nightmare fuel.”

“Toxic doesn’t even cover it – managers barked orders like rabid dogs. Zero learning, zero growth, just endless shouting and micromanagement,” he wrote.

He claimed he was eventually removed from that project after objecting to the toxic work culture. Later, he moved to development projects, which he found slightly better.

‘₹422 Hike After 4 Years’

Despite his improved role, the employee said he was shocked to see his salary hike only ₹422 per month after four years of service.

“In 2025, my raise was ₹422 per month, and it came six months late. This is exploitation on steroids. We work nights fixing bugs, but managers treat us like trash,” he wrote.

He accused the company of rewarding employees with “peanuts” while senior management enjoyed big bonuses.

🚨 TCS Gave Me a ₹422 p.m Hike After 4 Years — My Nightmare of Toxicity, Peanuts Pay, and Why I’m Finally Breaking Free! 🚨
byu/This_Hedgehog_4115 inIndianWorkplace

Netizens React with Anger and Sarcasm

The post quickly went viral, with many IT professionals expressing frustration and sharing similar experiences.
One user commented,

“If I get less than 12% hike twice, I switch. If I get less than 8% once, I quit in three months.”

Another joked,

“At this point, opening a panipuri stall might be more profitable.”

Several others said they had also faced poor appraisals and helpless managers who blamed upper management for stagnant pay.

TCS Responds to Allegations

In response to the growing online outrage, TCS issued a statement denying the claims made by the anonymous user.

“We do not comment on individual cases; however, the facts do not appear to be properly represented by the anonymous user being quoted,” the company said.

TCS added that salary hikes were implemented from September 1, 2025, benefiting over 80% of its workforce. The company said the average increment was between 4.5% and 7%, while high performers received double-digit hikes.

Employee’s Message to Others

Ending his post, the employee urged others in the tech industry to recognise their worth and invest in skill-building.

“Know your value, upskill, and network. Don’t make my mistake,” he advised.

The viral incident has once again highlighted growing discontent among IT employees over minimal pay hikes and rising workloads in India’s software industry.