Notice periods in India typically range from 30 days (rare) to 90 days (common in IT and finance). When your new employer wants you to join sooner, you have three main options.
Option 1 — Request early release from current employer: This is the first step. Approach your manager as soon as you have a written offer. Frame it positively: 'I've received an offer I'd like to pursue. I'm committed to a smooth handover. I can document my work, train a replacement, and complete critical deliverables before leaving.' Many managers agree to 2-4 weeks early release if you demonstrate responsibility. Create a handover document listing: ongoing projects, key contacts, passwords (where appropriate), and status of each deliverable. Offer to be available for questions after you leave (within reason). The more you reduce their risk, the more likely they are to agree.
Option 2 — Buyout: If your current employer won't agree to early release, ask your new employer to buy out your notice period. The new company pays your current employer your salary (and sometimes a premium) for the unserved period. Example: 60-day notice, you want to leave in 30 days — new employer pays 30 days of your salary to current employer. This is common in tech (Flipkart, Amazon, Microsoft) and finance. Not all companies offer it — some have a strict no-buyout policy. Ask the recruiter during offer negotiation: 'Do you offer notice period buyout?'
Option 3 — Negotiate joining date with new employer: If buyout isn't possible and current employer won't release early, negotiate a later joining date with the new company. Most companies can wait 4-6 weeks. For critical roles, they may wait 60-90 days. Use this as a fallback.
What not to do: Never leave without serving notice or without written release. It can result in: loss of experience letter, negative reference, legal action (in rare cases), and reputation damage. Never badmouth your current employer — it can get back to them and affect your release.