82 LPA may be an outlier but the range you mentioned is wildly incorrect. I’m an SDE2 making 57 LPA ($70K), and know other SDE2s making >70 LPA ($85K).

What ... In India ? I've only heard about Quants rarely making such amount. Where can a SDE2 get >70 LPA ?

You just had to switch companies last year when there was massive demand. I know of people who make that much purely by jumping at the right time.

I agree - that's definitely one way to land a lucrative offer. But I'm surprised that there was a massive demand last year. Because I was of the opinion that 2022 was the year where they really slowed down the hiring

My friend makes 80LPA = 98k$ as SDE2. Multiple former teammates makes around 70LPA = 85k$.

SDE2 is quite wide band, how much is their YOE ? IMO, for such numbers, the their base pay is 50% of TTC - so something around 40L and the rest is RSUs.