India Inc CEO Pay Reset: Boards Demand Discipline, Gender Gap at Top Remains Glaring

• CEO compensation in India is undergoing a reset in 2025, with boards prioritizing discipline, sustainable performance, and resilience.
• Median CEO compensation is ₹7-10 crore, but a significant gender pay gap persists, with female CEOs earning 60% less than male counterparts.
• Female CEO representation remains low at 5%, contributing to compensation inequality, even with a 15-20% gap when controlling for company size.
• CEO pay now emphasizes variable compensation, linked to cash-flow discipline and risk management, with mid-term contract renegotiations surging.
• Sectoral corrections see pay cuts in startups/EdTech/FinTech, while pharma/specialty chemicals/defense offer premiums; 'superstar CEO' era is ending.

Why It Matters: India Inc's CEO pay is being reshaped by boards, yet the glaring gender gap at the top persists.