Your switch Decide · Step 1 of 13
Should you switch?
Work out what you take home today, the least a new job must pay you, and the date not to resign before.
Skip to Practise it out loudYour numbers
Money sums are estimates on the new tax regime, tax year 2026-27. Not tax advice; check with a CA.
1. What lands in your bank each month
lakh
The total on your offer letter. 28 lakh = ₹28,00,000.
%
Look for "Basic" on your payslip or annexure. Most letters say 40. Allowed 10 to 80.
Your payslip looks different? (optional)
Set by your state; ask payroll. We start at ₹2,400 as a placeholder; change it to yours.
Tax regime: new regime only, tax year 2026-27. Surcharge (above ₹50 lakh taxable) is not included.
2. The least a new job must pay
%
What would make the move worth the risk? A CTC hike gives a smaller rise in hand, because each extra rupee is taxed at your top rate.
3. The date not to resign before
Money that pays you only if you are still there. Add up to six items.
Your appointment letter. 0 to 365.
Dated items
4. Your reason, looking forward
Say what you are moving toward, not who you are leaving. Example: "I want to own a payments system end to end." Up to 140 characters. Step 4 uses it.
Learn it first
- Lesson · 11 minRead this firstWhat Rs 1 Cr means in this guide, worked on one invented offer; the usual route from a services company in two moves; who the guide is not for yet; your track by level; and the three numbers to decide, in order, before any recruiter call, with tonight's task.
- Lesson · 19 minMoney, onceEvery money rule a switch touches, in one place: the payslip and the CTC bundle, PF, gratuity, income tax on salary, stock (cliff, schedule, RSU and ESOP tax), joining bonuses and clawbacks, notice, buyout, early release and bonds, what to say about pay, the switch-or-stay arithmetic and the cash part of Rs 1 Cr.
Template T1: CTC to in-hand worksheet (lesson 0) Template T5: Notice, buyout and early release (lessons 4 and 12)
Practise it out loud
Say it with a clock running and see where you went quiet or ran long.
Practise: The recruiter call (20 min)What to know
- CTC is what you cost your employer, not what you are paid.
- A 30% rise in CTC gives you a smaller rise in hand.
- Gratuity is paid on leaving only after 5 completed years of service (fixed-term staff: 1 year).
- Stock that vests while you serve notice may be yours; read your plan's words.
- Ask payroll whether PF is on your full basic or the wage ceiling.