CEO Salary in India 2025 | Monthly Salary, Entry-level to Senior CEO Package

The CEO's salary in India in 2025 reflects the pattern of transformation in the corporate landscape of the country. According to the FY25 data, the CEO’s base pay per annum ranges from ₹7.48 crore (for traditionally less risky professions, such as mining) to an exceptional ₹148.09 crore for CEOs in companies in the technology sector. The average salary per month for a CEO starts at ₹2 lakh at the entry level, all the way to more than ₹5 crore in MNCs.

The technology and IT services sector accounts for the most significant size of executive pay, which is then separated by both the banking and automotive industries. Stock options and performance-related bonuses make up a considerable proportion of CEO remuneration, especially in rapid-growth sectors. This sharp variation highlights how company size, sector, and global exposure directly shape executive earnings in India.

CEO Full Form and Role Definition

Snippet: CEO stands for Chief Executive Officer, the highest executive position in a company, which carries great responsibility and is considered the epitome of corporate leadership.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the most senior corporate officer in an organization, ultimately responsible for the successful daily operations and overall direction. As the public face of the organization, the CEO connects the daily activities with the long-term vision and sustainability of the organization’s values and vision.

The CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors and is typically responsible for leading the Board discussion on topics related to growth, corporate risk, governance, and corporate culture. This role requires both accountability and authority, demonstrating the ability to create and execute a vision, make astute decisions, and maintain a relentless focus on business success.

All these competencies are further developed with continued education, particularly through management training programs, and demonstrated through measures such as the MBA salary in India.

Primary Responsibilities of a CEO

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• In a strategic leadership role, CEOs establish and implement long-term goals, develop and implement business strategies, and ensure that all company operations align with marketplace trends.
• They frequently interact with the board, business partners, and direct reports to ensure the entire organization is aware of changes and responsive. They guide the company through change, always with an eye on the company's competitive advantage.

Organizational Management

• They manage the company's operations across all departments, oversee the senior leadership teams, and manage the performance of the company. They ensure resources are allocated effectively to drive growth.

Financial Accountability

• The CEO's salary in India correlates with their financial accountability. They are ultimately accountable for the revenue, budgets, and overall profitability of the company, working closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to ensure fiscal stability.

Stakeholder Engagement

• As the public face of the company, CEOs must build trust with stakeholders such as investors, employees, regulators, and customers. They represent the business in media interviews, forums, events, and conferences.

Corporate Culture and Leadership

• While the CEO may not always engage directly with the workforce, they shape the workplace culture as an ethical leader by seeking innovation. They may also mentor senior leaders.

Risk and Compliance

• They take on risk-based, legal, and compliance obligations and governance frameworks to sustain the company and the interests of the shareholders.

CEO Salary in India

Snippet: In 2025, the salary of a CEO in India varies significantly, often depending on company size, industry, and international exposure.

The average salary of a CEO in India shows a considerable variation. Starting salaries for small firms typically begin around ₹25 LPA and may exceed ₹10 crore for large firms. The highest CEO salary in India, at the largest MNCs in 2025, is in excess of ₹148.09 CPA.

This also signifies the differential based upon the type of market, i.e., industry, their ownership structure (public or private), and their performance. Salary ranges vary across a company's categorization, with examples being listed as follows:

Startup and Small-Sized Company CEOs' Salary

• The average base annual salary for CEO's at early-stage startups ranges from ₹12–36 LPA, and during 'bootstrap', early-stage companies, the salaries are often minimal. With Series A and Series B funding completes new salaries and packages are in the range of ₹36 LPA–₹1.2 CPA
• Late-stage startups can be in the ₹1.2 crore to ₹4 crore range, but the variable is equity, which typically contributes to the overall compensation of the top executives.

Mid-Size and Large Corporation CEOs

• Mid-size businesses (companies with revenues of ₹1,000–10,000 crore): ₹8–15 CPA.
• Large firms (companies with revenues of over ₹10,000 crore): ₹18–30 CPA.

Industry Leaders and Top Earners

Also identified in 2025 are the highest-paid CEOs in India, who include the following:

• Sandeep Kalra: Rs. 148.09 CPA
• Lakshmi Nandan Reddy Obul: Rs. 90.28 CPA
• Salil Parekh: ₹80.6 CPA
• Sriharsha Majety: ₹76.6 CPA.

These data points track the average Indian publicly listed firm, as data indicates the average Indian publicly listed firm had a CEO salary market average of ₹7.2 crore annually as of the fiscal period ending in 2024, with reported salary increases of 9%.

Top 10 CEO Salaries in India

In 2025, Sandeep Kalra, CEO of Presistent Systems Ltd., is at the top of the list of the highest-paid CEOs in India. The Total Salary is Rs. 14809 LPA, followed by the salary of the CEO at Swiggy, with Rs. 9,028.40. Check out the table below for the Top 10 CEO salaries in India.

CEO Salary based on Industry

The salary of a CEO in India in 2025 varies significantly across sectors and company sizes. Salaries go from ₹7.48 crore for industries like mining and agriculture, to an astounding ₹148.09 crore in technology companies.

IT companies offer the highest salaries for CEOs, mirroring India's global positioning as an IT center and rising demand for leaders in digital transformation. The second-highest salaries are in the automotive industry.

A CEO's salary in India includes stock options and performance-based pay as major components. Digital sectors benefit from significant pay packages, while traditional sectors, such as coal and mining, continue to provide comparatively modest salaries for CEOs. The difference in pay highlights the growth, dynamics, and complexities of leading organizations in India's corporate landscape.

CEO Salary based on the Company

The CEO salary in India for FY25 is incredibly diverse, with technology firms leading the charge compared to traditional sector participants. Persistent Systems is the highest among all, compensating CEO Sandeep Kalra ₹148.09 CPA.

In close pursuit are other firms such as Bajaj Finance and Hero MotoCorp. The IT firms HCL Technologies, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and Wipro all made the cut for good measure, where leaders in these high-growth sectors received a substantial portion of their compensation using equity. Below is the list of the highest CEO salaries based on Companies.

By contrast, established firms such as Tata Steel and Hindustan Unilever reward modest amounts, while Reliance Industries and Zomato forego an installed salary assignment entirely for their respective CEO's, indicating vastly different perspectives on what constitutes strong executive pay philosophies in India's ever-changing environment.

CEO Salary Per Month in India

Snippet: The CEO salary in India per month rises sharply with experience, from ₹74,000 for entry-level executives to nearly ₹3.7 lakh for late-career CEOs.

The monthly salary for CEOs in India differs significantly based on experience. For example, entry-level CEOs earn around ₹74,000 a month, while CEOs in their early career earn almost ₹84,000 a month.

Mid-career CEOs earn more than ₹1 lakh a month, while experienced CEOs earn ₹2.7 lakh. Late-career CEOs earn the most money, which has an average of around ₹3.68 lakh a month. This gradual increase in salary shows how experience as a CEO affects the package in a company in India.

How to Become a CEO

The journey to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company starts with a strong education and professional experience. While there are several paths to becoming a CEO, a UG in Business, Engineering, or Economics, before obtaining an MBA in Finance, CFA, or CA. Studying abroad also holds value as it develops a global mindset.

Entry-level aspiring CEOs will spend 15 to 25 years gaining experience through multiple leadership and managerial roles. Along the way, aspiring CEOs develop important soft skills, including:

• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Financial knowledge and acumen
• People management skills
• Communication and negotiation

Networking across the industry and consistent performance speed up an aspiring CEO's journey to the C-Suite. In the end, what distinguishes managers from CEOs is vision and the ability to convert strategy into execution.

Do you want to know which MBA Specialization is Best Paid for a CEO role?

Future of CEO Compensation in India

Snippet: CEO pay in India is expected to continue its upward curve, driven by a combination of performance-based remuneration, stock options, and globalization.

CEO compensation in India continues to increase due to corporate reforms, global convergence, and the digital environment. The following three trends dominate.

• Performance-Linked Compensation: Incentives and bonuses are tied to the company's performance, profit, and shareholder value.
• Stock-Based Compensation: Shares and long-term incentives in the IT and startup industry lead.
• Globalization and Sectoral Shifts: CEOs in IT, AI, and fintech may earn 20–30% higher packages than peers in traditional industries.

Conclusion

In 2025, the salary of a CEO in India varies on the basis of experience and the growth of the sector. The monthly salary of a CEO in India varies from ₹2 Lakh at the entry-level to ₹5 crores plus in global MNCs. Entry-level CEOs have fewer packages in the 2-lakh category, whilst senior leaders at the MNC levels command multi-crore remuneration. The increasing use of performance-linked incentives and remuneration based on available stock choices will also ensure that compensation for CEOs will not lag.

For aspiring CEOs, an advanced education, diverse management experience, and vital execution-focused capabilities remain pivotal in the path to a CEO role and optimal compensation.