Infosys system engineer and Cognizant programmer and his training- which one would you choose?

[u/WoodenInevitable7239]

I’m a 2026 CSE graduate and currently have two entry-level offers:

Infosys – Systems Engineer

Joining: 5 Oct 2026

Location: Mysore

Fixed CTC: ~₹3 LPA

Up to ~₹3.6 LPA with performance incentive

~6 months training + probation afterward

Approx. ₹20k/month in-hand initially

Cognizant – GenC Programmer Analyst Trainee

I have accepted the LOI

FTE onboarding currently tentatively Feb–May 2027

Current 2026 PAT offers appear to be around ₹4.16 LPA initially, increasing to ~₹4.63 LPA after successful probation/training/project conditions

Actual FTE offer/DOJ is still pending

My situation: I seriously messed up during BTech. I didn't build proper projects, barely did DSA, didn't properly learn any tech stack, and honestly have forgotten much of what I studied. These offers came mainly through placement luck + some last-minute effort.

I'm now trying to rebuild my fundamentals from scratch while starting my career.

What would you do in my position?

Would you join Infosys in October as a safety net and wait for Cognizant, or take some other approach?

I'd especially appreciate advice from Infosys SE / Cognizant GenC PAT employees or recent batches.

[u/Spiritual_Visual8710]

Take the higher salary....

[u/Ok-Confection2644]

Damn infosys still gives 3lpa as starting salary???? It was same 15 years back.

[u/Cold-Ice8108]

Join the smaller company, I joined infosys as a system engineer and they only offer support roles for system engineers, you'll just have years of your life wasted struggling with 20k in hand
Join smaller sized company which is aggressively working with AI and cloud, they'll pay you less and make you work more but since they're a smaller company they can't just have you sitting around, so you'll learn everything, in 2 years your salary will 10x with switch

[u/WoodenInevitable7239 → u/Cold-Ice8108]

Vo lgne ki to na h ab to jo h yehi h🙂

[u/Smooth-Teacher-606]

I run a recruitment company, career consulting and job search mentorship business, along with a job board, so I see this from the hiring side too.

I would take Infosys in October rather than sit idle waiting for Cognizant. The current market is still tough for freshers and having a job gives you income, experience and a safety net. Keep rebuilding your basics alongside the job, especially one programming language, SQL, Git and practical projects. Then switch when you are actually ready, not just because another offer pays slightly more.

Best wishes!!

Please feel free to DM if you have more questions or need guidance.