India Inc is witnessing a decisive shift toward professional management, with a sharp rise in the number of non-promoter chief executive officers earning million-dollar pay packages. Amid growing global uncertainty, Indian companies are increasingly relying on experienced professional CEOs to steer growth, manage complexity and meet global investor expectationsrewarding them with significantly higher compensation.
The number of professional CEOs earning $1 million (over ₹8 crore) or more annually in BSE 200 companies has jumped nearly 71% over the past five years, rising to 145 in FY25 from 85 earlier, according to data from global executive search firm Stanton Chase shared with The Times of India (TOI). In contrast, promoter-led CEOs have seen only a marginal increase, with their numbers inching up from 60 to 65 during the same period.
“Five years ago, promoter-led companies dominated many sectors. Today, professional CEOs are leading most of India’s large businesses and earning a premium,” said Amit Agarwal, Managing Director, India & Singapore at Stanton Chase. “Boards want leaders who bring independence, experience across business cycles, and the ability to manage complex global expectations. This trend reflects India Inc becoming more institutional and future-focused.”
Sector-wise, IT and IT-enabled services (IT/ITes) dominate the million-dollar CEO club, recording the highest jump in compensation over the last five years. Manufacturing follows, with CEO pay rising 34% during the same period, driven by scale expansion, global exposure and capital-intensive growth plans.
Former Wipro CEO Thierry Delaporte topped the compensation chart in FY25 with a pay package of ₹168 crore, followed by Persistent Systems CEO Sandeep Kalra, who earned ₹148 crore. Among promoter-led companies, Hero MotoCorp Chairman and Managing Director Pawan Munjal led with ₹109 crore in compensation, the study showed.
Industry experts note that professional CEOs are increasingly replacing promoter-led leadership in day-to-day operations, particularly in large listed companies. Promoters are now more likely to retain strategic oversight while entrusting execution to seasoned professionals, marking a structural shift in India’s corporate leadership landscape.
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