Cognizant, a leading IT services company, remains a popular choice for freshers seeking to launch their careers. In 2025, the company continues to hire fresh graduates for various roles, with salary packages that vary based on the specific profile, skills, and qualifications. Here’s a detailed look at what freshers can expect in terms of compensation and opportunities at Cognizant.

Salary Structure for Freshers

The average salary for freshers joining Cognizant in 2025 is estimated to be around ₹4,00,000 per annum for IT positions. This figure includes base pay, bonuses, and allowances, though the exact amount can fluctuate based on the job role, candidate profile, and whether the recruitment is through campus or off-campus drives.

Cognizant has different categories for hiring freshers, each with its own salary bracket. These include:

• GenC: This is the standard entry-level role with a salary of ₹4 LPA.
• GenC Elevate: This role is for candidates with additional technical skills, offering a salary around ₹5.4 LPA, which includes a skill bonus.
• GenC Next: The highest-paid fresher position, GenC Next, is for those with advanced programming, cloud, or full-stack skills, and it offers up to ₹6.75 LPA.

For graduates in the Business Process Services (BPS) division, which typically includes B.Com, BBA, BA, and B.Sc graduates, the expected salary ranges between ₹2.25 and ₹2.75 LPA. These roles usually involve operational, support, or backend process management.

Factors Influencing Salary

Several factors can influence the salary package offered to freshers at Cognizant:

• Skills and Qualifications: Candidates with specialized skills in areas like AI, cloud computing, and full-stack development are likely to command higher salaries.
• Recruitment Drive: Salaries may vary slightly depending on whether the candidate is recruited through campus placements or off-campus drives.
• Performance in Interviews: Exceptional performance in technical interviews and aptitude tests can also lead to better compensation packages.

Additional Benefits and Allowances

In addition to the base salary, Cognizant provides freshers with several benefits and allowances, which can include:

• Medical Allowances: A fixed amount is provided for medical expenses.
• Convenience Allowances: This covers miscellaneous expenses.
• Special Allowances: These include various other components that add up to a significant amount.
• Statutory Bonus: A bonus is provided, though the amount may vary based on location and job profile.

Hiring Trends and Future Outlook

Despite the uncertain economic environment, Cognizant remains committed to hiring freshers. In the second quarter of 2025, the company hired 7,500 new employees and plans to recruit 15,000 to 20,000 freshers from Indian colleges in 2025. Cognizant is also investing in upskilling its workforce, particularly in AI and emerging technologies, by establishing a 21-acre learning campus in Chennai.

However, like other IT giants, Cognizant has delayed salary hikes for existing employees, citing macroeconomic uncertainty. While bonuses were paid out in March, the timeline for salary increments remains undecided. This situation reflects a broader trend in the IT sector, where companies are balancing cost control with talent retention.

Cognizant GenC Hiring

Cognizant conducts the GenC recruitment exam on the "Superset" platform and eligibility criteria include:

• Full-time graduates and postgraduates (BE/B.Tech, ME/M.Tech, MCA, MS in Software Engineering).
• A minimum of 60% throughout their academic career.
• A gap between studies should not exceed one year.
• No backlogs during the selection process.

Cognizant's commitment to hiring freshers, even amid industry-wide challenges, provides a significant opportunity for graduates to start their careers in a dynamic and evolving environment.