Skip to content

Offer Letter Format: 6 Samples for Employers in India

Updated

What an offer letter must include, a CTC breakdown table, six samples for employers and how candidates can accept or decline.

Offer letter format and samples for employers

An offer letter is a formal letter from an employer to a selected candidate, offering a job on stated terms. In India it usually covers the designation, department, work location, cost to company (CTC), joining date, probation period, key conditions such as background verification, and a deadline to accept. Once the candidate signs and returns it, the company typically issues an appointment letter with detailed terms.

This guide lists what to include, shows a CTC breakdown, gives a fill-in offer letter and six samples, and covers how candidates should reply.

Key Takeaways

  • Print the offer letter on company letterhead with a reference number and date.
  • State designation, department, location, reporting manager and joining date.
  • Give the annual CTC and attach a salary break-up.
  • Mention probation, notice period and conditions such as document and background checks.
  • Set a clear acceptance deadline and ask the candidate to sign a copy.

What an Offer Letter Includes

SectionWhat to write
HeaderCompany name, address, reference number, date
Candidate detailsName and address
SubjectOffer of employment for the position of (designation)
PositionDesignation, department, grade, location, reporting manager
CompensationAnnual CTC; salary break-up in an annexure
JoiningExpected date of joining and reporting time and place
Probation and noticeProbation length; notice period during and after probation
ConditionsDocument verification, background check, medical fitness, relieving letter
AcceptanceDeadline to accept; signature line for the candidate
Sign-offAuthorised signatory name and designation
Offer letter: sections and content

Offer letter vs appointment letter

PointOffer letterAppointment letter
When issuedAfter selection, before joiningOn or after joining
PurposeOffers the job and main termsConfirms appointment with full terms
LengthOne to two pagesSeveral pages with policies
Candidate actionAccept by signing before the deadlineSign as acknowledgment

Some companies merge both into one document. However, most mid-size and large employers in India issue them separately.

Sample CTC Break-up

Attach a break-up so that the candidate understands the take-home salary. The figures below are only an illustration for an annual CTC of ₹6,00,000; every company structures pay differently.

ComponentAnnual (₹)Notes
Basic salary2,40,000Often 40–50% of CTC
House rent allowance (HRA)1,20,000Often 40–50% of basic
Special allowance1,79,100Balancing figure
Employer PF contribution21,60012% of basic, capped on a ₹15,000 monthly wage in this example
Gratuity (provision)11,544Payable after five years of continuous service under the Payment of Gratuity Act
Medical insurance27,756Group health cover premium
Total CTC6,00,000
Illustrative CTC break-up for an offer letter

Check current PF, ESI and professional tax rules with your payroll team or advisor before finalising any salary structure.

Create an Offer Letter

Fill in the fields on the right. The letter updates as you type; copy it onto your letterhead or save it as a PDF.

[Company name]
[Company address]

Ref: [Reference number]
Date:

To,
[Candidate name]
[Candidate address]

Subject: Offer of employment for the position of [designation]

Dear [Candidate name],

We are pleased to offer you the position of [designation] in our [department] department at [work location], reporting to [reporting manager]. Your annual cost to company will be ₹[CTC], as detailed in the enclosed annexure.

Your expected date of joining is [joining date]. You will be on probation for [six months]. This offer is subject to satisfactory verification of your documents and references.

Kindly sign and return a copy of this letter by [acceptance deadline] to confirm your acceptance.

For [Company name],
[Authorised signatory]
[HR Manager]

Fill your details

The letter updates as you type. Nothing is saved.

6 Offer Letter Samples

The companies and people below are fictional examples. Replace every detail with your own and have your HR or legal team review the final letter.

1. Offer letter for a fresher (IT)

Brightpath Software Pvt. Ltd.
Hitec City, Hyderabad

Ref: BPS/HR/OL/2026/112
Date: 19 October 2026

To,
Ms. Lakshmi Reddy
Kukatpally, Hyderabad

Subject: Offer of employment for the position of Associate Software Engineer

Dear Lakshmi,

Congratulations! Following your campus interview, we are pleased to offer you the position of Associate Software Engineer in our Product Development team at Hyderabad. Your annual CTC will be ₹4,80,000, as per the enclosed annexure.

Your expected joining date is 1 December 2026. You will be on probation for six months. This offer is subject to your passing the final semester examination and satisfactory document verification.

Please sign and return a copy of this letter by 30 October 2026.

For Brightpath Software Pvt. Ltd.,
Kiran Rao
Manager, Talent Acquisition

2. Offer letter for an experienced hire (sales)

Northstar Consumer Goods Ltd.
Andheri East, Mumbai

Ref: NCG/HR/2026/487
Date: 19 October 2026

To,
Mr. Arvind Menon
Vashi, Navi Mumbai

Subject: Offer for the position of Area Sales Manager

Dear Arvind,

We are pleased to offer you the position of Area Sales Manager for the Navi Mumbai territory, reporting to the Regional Sales Head. Your annual CTC will be ₹14,00,000, including a performance-linked variable pay of up to ₹2,00,000.

Your joining date will be on or before 15 November 2026, subject to your relieving letter from your current employer. The notice period after confirmation is 60 days.

Kindly confirm your acceptance by 26 October 2026.

For Northstar Consumer Goods Ltd.,
Farah Khan
Head, Human Resources

3. Internship offer letter

GreenLeaf Media LLP
Indiranagar, Bengaluru

Date: 19 October 2026

To,
Mr. Rohan Das
Koramangala, Bengaluru

Subject: Internship offer: Content Marketing Intern

Dear Rohan,

We are happy to offer you a three-month internship as Content Marketing Intern from 2 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. You will receive a monthly stipend of ₹15,000.

Your working hours will be 10 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. On successful completion, you will receive an internship certificate.

Please confirm by 25 October 2026.

For GreenLeaf Media LLP,
Neha Suri
Partner

4. Offer letter for a school teacher

Sunrise Public School
Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur

Date: 19 October 2026

To,
Ms. Pooja Sharma
Malviya Nagar, Jaipur

Subject: Offer of appointment as PGT (English)

Dear Madam,

With reference to your interview and demo class, we are pleased to offer you the post of PGT (English) at a monthly gross salary of ₹42,000.

You are requested to join on 1 November 2026. You will be on probation for one year. Please bring original certificates of your M.A., B.Ed. and experience for verification.

Kindly confirm your acceptance by 24 October 2026.

Principal
Sunrise Public School

5. Conditional offer letter

Apex Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd.
Salt Lake, Kolkata

Ref: ADPL/HR/2026/219
Date: 19 October 2026

To,
Mr. Subhajit Paul
Behala, Kolkata

Subject: Conditional offer for the position of Lab Technician

Dear Subhajit,

We are pleased to offer you the position of Lab Technician at our Salt Lake centre at an annual CTC of ₹3,60,000.

This offer is conditional on (a) your submitting a valid registration or qualification certificate, (b) a satisfactory background check and (c) a pre-employment medical examination. If any condition is not met, this offer will stand withdrawn.

Please confirm your acceptance by 27 October 2026.

For Apex Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd.,
Ritu Banerjee
HR Executive

6. Offer letter by email (short format)

Subject: Offer: Graphic Designer, Pixelcraft Studio

Dear Aisha,

Thank you for your time during the interviews. We are delighted to offer you the role of Graphic Designer at our Pune studio at an annual CTC of ₹5,40,000, with a joining date of 16 November 2026.

The formal offer letter and salary annexure are attached. Please reply to this email with your acceptance by 23 October 2026.

Warm regards,
Varun Kale
Studio Manager, Pixelcraft Studio

How Candidates Should Reply

Acceptance reply

Subject: Acceptance of offer: Associate Software Engineer

Dear Mr. Rao,

Thank you for the offer letter (Ref: BPS/HR/OL/2026/112) dated 19 October 2026. I am pleased to accept the position of Associate Software Engineer on the terms mentioned.

I will join on 1 December 2026. A signed copy of the offer letter is attached.

Regards,
Lakshmi Reddy

Declining politely

Subject: Regarding offer for Area Sales Manager

Dear Ms. Khan,

Thank you for offering me the position of Area Sales Manager. After careful thought, I have decided to decline the offer, as I have accepted another role closer to my family.

I appreciate your time and hope our paths cross again.

Regards,
Arvind Menon

Mistakes Employers Should Avoid

  • Vague pay. Always attach a salary break-up with the offer letter.
  • No acceptance deadline. Without it, positions stay blocked.
  • Missing conditions. State verification and document requirements clearly.
  • Wrong candidate details. Double-check name spelling, designation and CTC before sending.
  • No reference number. It helps track the offer later.

Related Office Formats

After the candidate joins, use our joining letter format. When an employee leaves, issue an experience letter. For any other official letter, the formal letter writing guide explains the layout.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an offer letter?

It is a formal letter from an employer offering a job to a selected candidate, with the designation, salary, joining date, key conditions and an acceptance deadline.

What should an offer letter include?

Designation, department, location, reporting manager, annual CTC with break-up, joining date, probation, notice period, conditions such as background verification, acceptance deadline and an authorised signature.

Is an offer letter legally binding?

An accepted offer can create obligations for both sides, but the details depend on the terms and applicable law. Employers should get legal review for their templates; this page is general information, not legal advice.

What is the difference between an offer letter and an appointment letter?

The offer letter proposes the job and main terms before joining. The appointment letter confirms the appointment with full terms, usually on or after joining.

How do I accept an offer letter?

Reply by email or sign the copy, quoting the reference number and joining date. Keep a copy for your records.

Can a company withdraw an offer letter?

Companies sometimes withdraw offers, for example if conditions such as verification are not met. The candidate should read the conditions carefully before resigning from a current job.

Should an offer letter mention CTC or in-hand salary?

Most Indian companies mention annual CTC and attach a break-up. Adding the estimated monthly take-home helps candidates understand the offer.

Final Check

Before sending any offer letter, verify the candidate’s name, designation, CTC, joining date and deadline. More workplace formats are in our office letters section, and the Letter Generator creates quick drafts.

Related letters