A startling tale that an IT specialist posted on Reddit is generating a lot of internet conversation. After working for Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), one of the biggest IT companies in India, for more than five years, the user, a Java developer, says his monthly pay has actually dropped.
The person offered a thorough account in a post on the well-known forum r/developersIndia. He claimed that when he started working with TCS in 2020, his monthly salary was Rs 25,000. His current monthly in-hand wage in 2026, after 5.5 years with the company, is Rs 22,800.
He clarified that after graduating from a top 3 university, he concentrated on getting ready for government tests rather than developing his IT skills. Over the years, he was given poor performance bands (C to D). He was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) in July 2025. He was able to secure a new project without disclosing the PIP status to his management following extensive preparation. His assessment was halted, but the PIP time ended without termination.
He now faces a new challenge following his January 2026 upskilling as a Java Backend Developer. He says that when he passes job interviews, Human Resources (HR) representatives become suspicious when they check his pay stubs and end the conversation about an offer. The user expressed concern about surviving in the IT industry and concluded the message by requesting advice.
Reddit Users Respond with Suggestions
Many people responded to the post with strategic career advise as it swiftly gained popularity.
“Start with small gradual jumps into startups that will take you because of smaller salary asks,” one user offered as a sensible course of action. Startups are a crazy place to learn three years’ worth of skills in one year. For rapid moves, concentrate on early-stage startups and switch ship every year or two.
A different approach was suggested by another user: “MBA seems like a damn good option for your situation.” 22k after five years of experience is just sick and nasty. I don’t think anyone could have that level of tech competence in such a short amount of time. I therefore recommended an MBA.
“Because you were all over the place, both your existing career and your government job ambitions didn’t materialize,” said a third criticism that addressed mentality and storytelling. Once you start applying yourself, you’ll need to show HR that you’re excellent and that you have a story to share with the world. Even being honest about it won’t hurt you once you start demonstrating your abilities.
This viral article has sparked discussions regarding career advancement, performance management, and pay advancement in the IT sector, despite the fact that individual experiences differ. The employee’s circumstances demonstrate the difficulties professionals may have when their career focus changes and the long-term effects of performance evaluations.
The Reddit community is mostly advocating for targeted job searches, smart upskilling, and a firm commitment to the selected professional path. The conversation is still focused on solutions.
