Techie leaves Rs 18 lakh job for PSU stability taking a big pay cut, questions decision after one year

A post on X about a professional who left an Rs 18 lakh per annum IT job in Gurgaon for a public-sector bank position in Chandigarh has sparked a discussion over whether job security is worth a significant reduction in salary.

According to the post, the man's decision was influenced by growing concerns over AI-led layoffs. He believed a public-sector role would provide greater stability and accepted a salary of around Rs 10 lakh a year, compared with his previous Rs 18 lakh package.

However, after spending a year in the new role, he reportedly began questioning whether leaving the private-sector job had been the right decision.



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Pay cut brings new set of concerns

The post said the professional had initially been comfortable with earning less because he expected greater stability in return. That expectation, however, was reportedly challenged by his experience at the public-sector bank.

The person who shared the post claimed that the lower salary, frustrating work culture and bureaucracy had led his friend to reconsider his career move.

He now faces a choice between returning to the private sector and retaining the perceived security of his current job.

Going back to IT could bring higher performance pressure, longer working hours and renewed concerns about layoffs. Staying with the bank, meanwhile, offers what the post describes as better perceived job security, more predictable work and less pressure to continually upgrade skills.

The post asked users whether they would leave a secure public-sector position and take a similar risk in the current job market or remain with the stability offered by the job.

X users debate PSU versus private-sector careers

The post drew mixed reactions, with users questioning the comparison between IT and public-sector employment.

One user responded that someone working in IT should be happy with the opportunity but cautioned against “preach[ing] false hopes”. The user also questioned the claim of a Rs 10 lakh salary in a PSU and asked whether additional perks had been included in the comparison.

Another user offered a more positive assessment of public-sector banking, saying negative comments about bank jobs were surprising. The user said they had worked in two public-sector banks for 32 years, starting as a probationary officer and eventually becoming a general manager.

The user described the career as offering variety and experience, including rural and foreign postings as well as a transition from manual work to AI. They also referred to the facilities available and said such jobs could be particularly beneficial for lower-middle-class youth, while adding that the appeal may differ for wealthy or upper-middle-class candidates.

A third user took a sharply different view, saying bank jobs were “the worst” and suggesting that the professional should instead have pursued a government job in another department.

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User warns about staff loan benefits

Another commenter offered a specific warning about public-sector employment benefits.

The user advised the person to avoid taking staff loan benefits, particularly a housing loan, if he remained in contact with the professional. According to the commenter, such benefits can appear attractive initially but could become difficult if the employee later decides to leave, as the entire loan would have to be repaid before leaving the job.

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