3 YOE in Node.js, currently at 9 LPA. Should I wait for promotion or switch?

TL;DR: ~3 YOE overall (16 months at Freshworks + 10-month career gap + 18–19 months at my current company), currently at ₹9.06 LPA. I was promised a promotion after 18 months, but it hasn’t happened yet. Even with a promotion + appraisal, I estimate I’ll still be well below my target of ₹15–16+ LPA. I’m trying to switch to a better Node.js/backend role but barely getting interview calls. Should I keep trying to switch now, broaden my tech stack, or stay for another 6–12 months and focus on upskilling?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some honest career advice because I’m a bit confused about what the best move is right now.

I have around 3 years of total experience.

My career history is roughly:

Freshworks: 16 months

Career gap: \~10 months

Current company: 18–19 months and counting

Current CTC: ₹9.06 LPA

Primary experience: Node.js / backend development

When I joined my current company, I was told that I would be considered for a promotion after completing around 18 months. I’ve crossed that point now, but the promotion hasn’t happened yet.

From what I understand, I’ll most likely get it either next quarter or possibly the first quarter of next year.

The problem is that even if I get a decent appraisal (\~10%) along with a promotion hike of around 12–15%, I don't feel it will make a significant difference to my compensation.

My target now is to move to at least ₹15–16 LPA, ideally into a stronger backend/Node.js role.

The bigger issue is that I’m not getting many interview calls for Node.js roles right now. That’s making me question whether I should continue trying to switch or stay where I am and focus on learning for another 6–12 months.

There is definitely learning happening in my current company, so it’s not like I’m in a completely stagnant role. But financially, I feel like I’ve reached a point where the growth has slowed down significantly.

So I’m trying to figure out what would be the smartest move.

What would you do if you were in my position?

Stay for another 6–12 months, get the promotion, build stronger skills and then switch?

Start aggressively applying now and try to get into the ₹15–16+ LPA range?

Is my current experience/CTC making it difficult to get shortlisted?

Should I broaden my target beyond pure Node.js — for example, Node.js + React/full-stack, Node.js + AI, Java + Node.js, cloud/backend, etc.?

What skills/projects should I focus on over the next 3–6 months to start getting more interview calls?

Is ₹15–16 LPA realistic with \~3 YOE in the current Indian market, or am I targeting too high?

Also, if anyone has recently switched from \~8–10 LPA to 15–18+ LPA with around 3 YOE, I’d really appreciate hearing what you did differently — skills, resume changes, DSA/system design, referrals, applications, interview prep, etc.

I’m not necessarily desperate to leave immediately. I just don’t want to spend another year somewhere if I could have used that time to make a much better career move.

Would really appreciate some practical advice from people who have been in a similar situation.