A large share of Nvidia’s India workforce, estimated at around 10,000 employees, has received a one-time special stock grant introduced by CEO Jensen Huang. According to data from US-based salary tracker 6figr, payouts from this grant range from over ₹5 lakh to as high as ₹1 crore over the vesting period.
The initiative, called the “Jensen Special Grant,” was launched in 2024 and offers employees an additional 25 percent of their original restricted stock units (RSUs). The stock awards vest over four years, with values calculated in rupees and converted to US dollars at an exchange rate of ₹82.9 per dollar. Based on an average Nvidia share price of $898.2, the RSUs begin vesting from September 18, 2024, with quarterly payouts continuing until 2028.
In one reported case, a mid-level IC2 employee in solutions architecture received eight extra RSUs under the program, valued at about ₹5.3 lakh at the time of allocation. This was in addition to an annual equity grant worth roughly ₹21.5 lakh. The employee’s total unvested stock value reportedly stood at over ₹1.2 crore as of April last year, showing the growing role of equity in compensation structures.
Nvidia declined to comment on the special grant or overall pay details, stating that it does not disclose employee compensation information.
Industry data suggests India is seeing a rise in high-value stock-based compensation, especially in semiconductor and AI roles. At Nvidia India, equity can make up between 50 and 75 percent of total pay, becoming the main driver of long-term earnings. Senior engineers working in chip design and AI development often earn significantly higher packages than managerial roles, with top talent reportedly drawing annual compensation of ₹2–3 crore.
Experts note that deep technical roles are increasingly being rewarded with equity rather than cash. According to 6figr co-founder Yashveer Rana, stock grants are now directly linking employees to the long-term value they help create, turning them into stakeholders in the company’s growth. KPMG’s Akhilesh Tuteja also highlighted that in AI and semiconductor fields, equity has become a primary wealth-building tool rather than just a retention strategy.
At entry levels, IC1 roles typically earn ₹10–22 lakh annually, while IC2 roles range from ₹23–32 lakh. Mid-level IC3 roles see wider variation, from around ₹27 lakh to ₹51 lakh, with top performers earning up to ₹85 lakh, depending on skills and impact.
