recruiter screen including some technical questions read off a script, then panel with hiring manager and 2 senior team members. interview was highly scripted for purposes of comparison with other candidates.

Interview rounds were thorough and technically solid — no issues there. The red flag came at offer stage. The number looked good on paper against my current (suppressed, bond-locked) salary, but was barely a step up from a competing offer I'd already disclosed. When I asked for a modest 1-2 LPA adjustment — explicitly not asking for a match of 5 LPA more — the recruiter's response was that pushing on this could lead the hiring manager to simply move on to other candidates. I was also told its not their fault that my current salary is less. No flexibility offered on joining bonus, relocation, or timing. Just a flat message: negotiate at your own risk. I withdrew — not over the money, but over what that response signaled about how the team handles a candidate advocating for themselves. If you're interviewing here, get your ask in early and go in prepared for near-zero room once the offer is issued. Standard negotiation seems to be read as a liability rather than normal process. I have interviewed at many companies but i have not seen such rude HR.