What is the salary expectation gap in India's 2026 campus placements?

In 2026, India's campus placements show a widening gap where students' salary expectations often exceed what employers offer, particularly for MBA and engineering graduates.

Which skills are commanding higher salaries in India's job market?

Skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, and other domain-specific expertise are increasingly commanding higher salaries in India's job market.

Are companies still hiring in India despite the salary gap?

Yes, hiring remains active with 88% of companies recruiting, though they are more selective, reserving higher salaries for candidates with specific, job-ready skills.

Home / Business and Economy / India's Campus Pay Gap: Reality Bites Grads

India's Campus Pay Gap: Reality Bites Grads

28 Apr

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Summary

Many students expect higher salaries than employers offer.
Skills like AI and data science now command higher pay.
Hiring remains strong, but companies are more selective.

India's Campus Pay Gap: Reality Bites Grads

In 2026, India's job market shows a widening salary expectation gap for graduates. A significant number of MBA students anticipate salaries exceeding 12 LPA, yet only 47% achieve this. Similarly, 60% of engineering graduates aim for 9 LPA or more, with just 14% realizing this aspiration. Undergraduate students also face a disparity, as 73% expect over 5 LPA, but only 40% secure it.

This disconnect stems from students focusing on top offers rather than median salaries. Employers are shifting focus from degrees to specific, in-demand skills like AI and data science, reserving higher pay for demonstrable expertise. Despite 88% of companies actively recruiting and 90% maintaining hiring budgets, selectivity has increased, leading to stable entry-level pay for the broader pool.