Synopsis
An NRI professional with a PhD and 12 years of experience is considering a return to Bengaluru, India, with a ₹90 lakh per annum offer. He seeks advice on whether the salary is sufficient for his family’s financial plans and career impact, sparking a debate among netizens about cost of living and compensation.
A Reddit post by an NRI professional considering a return to India has sparked an intense online discussion around salaries, cost of living, and career compromises in Bengaluru.
In a post titled “Is 90 LPA a good salary in BLR for a returnee? (PhD + 12 years)”, the user shared details about his background, stating that he holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering, works in a niche specialisation, and has 12 years of professional experience.
is 90LPA a good salary in BLR for a returnee? (PhD + 12 years)
byu/cyd1753 inreturnToIndia
He currently works remotely and earns about $190,000 annually in cash compensation, along with restricted stock units scheduled to vest in 2026.
Family Plans and Financial Concerns
Explaining his dilemma, the user wrote, “This is a major sticking point for me because I planned to pay off our villa in India when the stocks vest. We are planning to relocate to India to care for our parents.”
He added that the move is driven largely by family responsibilities, particularly the need to support ageing parents.
The Bengaluru Job Offer
The user revealed that he has received an offer of ₹90 lakh per annum CTC from a multinational company in Bengaluru for a senior role at a newly established centre. The offer includes a base salary of ₹74 lakh along with additional components, while talks around a sign-on bonus are still ongoing.
The role would require working from the office three days a week, renting a home in north Bengaluru, and relocating with a four-year-old child who will begin schooling in India this year.
Citizenship and Long-Term Planning
The professional also mentioned that he is close to obtaining US citizenship and would need to apply for an OCI card before relocating. He clarified that the move to India would initially be for a few years, after which the family would reassess whether to stay back or return to the US.
Seeking advice, he asked fellow Reddit users, “NRIs who have returned to BLR, can you please shed some light on whether this is an offer worth considering?”
Career Impact vs Financial Reality
While acknowledging the stature of the company and role, the user admitted concerns about long-term financial impact. “The company and role are very big, so the impact on my career is going to be huge. But I cannot in good faith accept the offer if we are going to be worse off financially. Any inputs are appreciated,” he concluded.
Mixed Reactions From Netizens
“Don’t overthink it, this is a good move. You can always come back since you have US passport this isn’t a luxury everyone has,” one user wrote.
“Sorry to break it you! 90 LPA CTC is peanuts in BLR. it is going to be hand-to-mouth living for you! negotiate and say you can water the boss’s garden to get a better offer!” another user commented.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.