Infosys has commenced its annual performance review cycle, sparking renewed optimism among employees for much-anticipated salary increases in 2026. An internal email from the HR department has requested staff to complete their self-assessments by October 17, 2025. This appraisal season holds significant importance for many employees, as they are eager for substantial raises after a period of modest or delayed pay adjustments. One employee expressed hope for a raise this year, stating that while the appraisal is a routine exercise, they are hopeful for a better outcome compared to last year. Infosys follows an October-to-September performance cycle, with ratings typically finalized by January and salary revisions implemented in June. However, this timeline has faced frequent delays in recent years.
During the last appraisal for FY24, the company issued salary increases in two phases—January and April 2025. Employees at the JL5 level, including team leads, received increments in January, while those at JL6 and above had to wait until April. Even then, the hikes were reported to be 5–10% lower across levels than the previous cycle announced in November 2023. The pay revision process in 2023 occurred after a challenging year when Infosys implemented a salary freeze for FY22 to conserve cash amidst uncertain market conditions, adversely affecting employee morale. With over 323,000 employees globally, the appraisal outcomes at Infosys are viewed as indicative of the wider Indian IT sector.
In this year’s review, the company has encouraged employees to showcase their key accomplishments, challenges, and measurable results from the past year. The HR communication also stresses the importance of setting future development goals and aligning them with career aspirations. The internal email stated, ‘This is your opportunity to reflect on your key efforts, outcomes, challenges, achievements, and set future-ready goals.’ Performance ratings will determine salary increases, classified under categories such as ‘met expectations,’ ‘commendable,’ and ‘outstanding performance.’ Infosys is not alone in this appraisal cycle; its main competitor, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has also initiated its review process.
An internal note from Chief Human Resources Officer Sudeep Kunnumal revealed that TCS implemented hikes for employees at the C3A level, effective September 2025, with top performers receiving double-digit salary increases. Looking ahead, all attention is focused on Infosys’ Q2 FY26 earnings, which are set to be announced on October 16, as analysts believe the company’s financial results could impact the scale of forthcoming salary revisions. For many Infosys employees, the lingering question is whether 2026 will finally deliver the long-awaited salary increases they have been anticipating.