Offers and negotiation¶
~7 min
In short¶
An offer is not one number. It is a set of parts, and the parts can be paid on different schedules, can change over time, and can come with conditions. Before you accept, read the full offer letter, find out what each part means, and ask your questions in writing. Negotiation is a normal part of this, and it is much easier when you know which parts are fixed and which are flexible.
No number on this page is a promise. Your offer depends on the company, the role, your location, and the market on the day you are hired.
The parts of an offer¶
Most offers in India for software roles list some combination of these. Check each one in your letter.
| Part | What it is | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Fixed yearly pay, usually paid monthly | Whether the letter says "base" or "CTC" |
| Bonus | Variable pay, often tied to performance or company results | How it is paid, and whether any part is fixed |
| Stock (RSUs or options) | Shares in the company, granted over time | The grant value, the vesting schedule, and the share price basis |
| Joining bonus | One-off payment, often with a clawback | The amount, the date paid, and what happens if you leave early |
| Notice period | How long you must work after resigning | The number of days, and whether the company can waive it |
Levels.fyi, a salary site built from self-reported data, defines its headline figure as total compensation: base plus stock per year plus bonus (https://www.levels.fyi/t/software-engineer/locations/india, checked 18 Oct 2026). Companies may define CTC differently. Ask what your offer's CTC includes.
Stock needs its own reading¶
Stock is often the largest and least certain part of a headline number. Two things matter:
- Vesting. Stock usually arrives in portions over several years, sometimes with a first-year cliff. Ask for the exact schedule.
- Value. The value depends on the share price when each portion vests. A figure in the letter may be an estimate on the grant date.
Levels.fyi notes that for Google India, about 30.7 of a 73.7 LPA total compensation figure at one level was first-year stock (https://www.levels.fyi/companies/google/salaries/software-engineer/locations/india, checked 18 Oct 2026). The same number can look very different after vesting. Write both the base and the stock figure separately in your comparison sheet.
Compare offers on the same basis¶
If you have two offers, build a simple table with the same rows for each: base, bonus (stated, not assumed), stock per year and its schedule, joining bonus, notice period, location, and work mode. Then compare rows, not headlines. An offer with a higher headline may have a lower base and more variable pay.
What to ask, in writing¶
Send questions by email so the answers are on record.
- Is the figure base, CTC, or total compensation, and what does it include?
- How is the bonus calculated, and in which months is it paid?
- What is the vesting schedule for stock, and is the value stated in rupees on the grant date?
- Is there a joining bonus, and what must I repay if I leave within a set period?
- What is the notice period, and can it be shortened?
- Which team and location is the role for, and is the work mode fixed?
- When do you need my answer, and can I have time to review the full letter?
Negotiating¶
Negotiation is normal, but it is not a contest. Be polite, be specific, and be honest about what you know. A good opening is: "Thank you, I am excited about the role. Is there flexibility on the base, or on the joining bonus?" If you have a competing offer, say so only if it is real. Do not invent offers.
Some parts are often easier to change than others, such as a joining bonus or a start date. Others, like the level, may be decided by the company's bands. Ask which parts are open before you spend effort on them.
Before you sign¶
- Read the whole letter, including the terms about confidentiality, non-compete, and repayment.
- Check that the role, level, and location match what was discussed.
- Keep a copy of the signed letter.
- Tell your current employer or college in line with your notice terms.
Try this¶
What to do this week: If you have an offer, open its letter and fill the parts table from this page with its numbers. If you do not have one yet, make the empty table, save it, and use it for your first offer.
Sources¶
- Levels.fyi, software engineer pay in India (definition of total compensation, self-reported data): https://www.levels.fyi/t/software-engineer/locations/india (checked 18 Oct 2026)
- Levels.fyi, Google software engineer pay in India (example of stock within total compensation): https://www.levels.fyi/companies/google/salaries/software-engineer/locations/india (checked 18 Oct 2026)