K. Krithivasan is an Indian business executive who serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest information technology services company by revenue. A long-standing TCS veteran, he stepped into the top role after a multi-decade career at the company spanning delivery, client relationships and the leadership of its largest industry vertical.
In May 2026, TCS disclosed that Krithivasan's total remuneration for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26) rose by about 6 per cent to Rs 28.1 crore, according to reports based on the company's annual filings. The increase placed renewed focus on executive compensation in the Indian IT services industry, where chief executives at the largest firms have seen pay packages climb in line with performance-linked commissions.
The FY26 package, as reported, comprised a basic salary of Rs 167.6 lakh, benefits and allowances worth Rs 143.7 lakh, and a commission component of Rs 25 crore, making variable pay the dominant element of his earnings.
Personal information
| Name | K. Krithivasan |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Mechanical Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology (1981-1985) |
| Current role | Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Consultancy Services |
| Employer | Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) |
| FY26 remuneration (reported) | Rs 28.1 crore |
Early life and education
Krithivasan studied Mechanical Engineering at the Coimbatore Institute of Technology (CIT) in Tamil Nadu, completing his undergraduate course between 1981 and 1985, according to media accounts of his career. CIT is among the older engineering institutions in southern India and has produced a number of senior executives in the country's technology sector.
Career at TCS
Krithivasan has spent the bulk of his professional life at Tata Consultancy Services, where he has held a series of leadership positions over the years. Before being elevated to the chief executive's role, he led the company's Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) business unit, the largest contributor to TCS's revenue and a vertical that has long been viewed as a bellwether for the wider Indian IT industry.
His appointment as CEO and Managing Director marked a leadership transition at TCS, with the company emphasising continuity and deep institutional experience. Media coverage of his elevation has consistently highlighted his lengthy tenure inside TCS and his reputation as an executive who rose through the ranks rather than being recruited from outside.
FY26 remuneration
According to disclosures reported in May 2026, Krithivasan's total compensation for FY26 stood at Rs 28.1 crore, an increase of roughly 6 per cent over the previous year. The breakup reported by The Economic Times included:
- Salary of Rs 167.6 lakh
- Benefits and allowances of Rs 143.7 lakh
- Commission of Rs 25 crore
The structure indicates that the larger share of his pay is tied to performance-linked commissions rather than fixed salary, a pattern common among chief executives at large Indian listed companies.
Background
Tata Consultancy Services is part of the Tata Group and is among the most valuable companies listed on Indian stock exchanges. Its CEO is one of the most closely watched executives in the Indian technology sector because the company's results are widely treated as a leading indicator for the broader IT services industry, which is a significant employer of engineering graduates in the country.
Annual disclosures about CEO remuneration at TCS therefore attract attention beyond shareholders. They are often examined for the ratio between executive pay and median employee compensation, the size of variable components, and how Indian IT pay packages compare with those at multinational technology firms. Krithivasan's FY26 package, reported across business publications, fits into that wider conversation about leadership compensation in India's IT sector.
Public profile
Krithivasan generally maintains a low public profile outside of company events, investor calls and industry forums. Coverage of him in the Indian press has typically focused on TCS's quarterly performance, hiring and attrition trends, deal wins, and commentary on the demand environment for technology services. His educational background at a regional engineering institution and his rise to the top of one of India's largest companies have been highlighted in profile pieces, including those discussing his FY26 pay disclosure.
Related topics
- Tata Consultancy Services
- Tata Group
- Indian IT industry
- Coimbatore Institute of Technology
- Executive compensation in India
- BFSI