In 2026, India’s average salary hike is projected to remain steady at 9.1%, with companies increasingly focusing on skills and performance-based evaluations. While overall increments have stabilised, the key shift lies in how organisations reward and differentiate employees. Sector-wise trends show stronger growth in Pharmaceuticals (10.1%), Automotive (10.3%), and Renewables (10.4%), driven by sustained demand and specialised skill requirements. In contrast, industries such as IT