India’s premier technology schools, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), are taking a proactive approach to placement season this year, determined to avoid a repeat of the challenges faced by their 2024 graduates. With the global economic landscape still marked by uncertainty, companies remain hesitant about revealing their hiring targets for the upcoming batch. However, recruiters from various sectors, including IT, core industries, manufacturing, and banking, have begun registering with the IITs.
While companies are yet to disclose their specific hiring numbers, placement officers at the newer IITs report that they are actively pursuing potential employers. Recognizing the difficulties faced last year, when a significant number of graduates went unplaced by the end of the season, the IITs are not waiting for companies to approach them. They are actively reaching out, with some even setting minimum compensation levels to attract employers.
The first-generation IITs, including Madras, Bombay, Delhi, Kharagpur, Roorkee, and Kanpur, traditionally kick off the placement season in December. The newer institutes, along with the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), typically start their recruitment process earlier in August-September. This proactive approach aims to give them a head start in securing placements.
Many companies are favoring pre-placement offers (PPOs) based on internships over direct final placements, further prompting the IITs to engage with employers early. This is particularly true for newer IITs, who are focusing on attracting companies in sectors like BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) and quick commerce platforms.
For instance, Meesho, a leading online retailer, is actively recruiting from campuses this year, with a particular focus on the 2025 batch of engineering graduates from IITs, IIITs, and NITs. The company plans to significantly increase its campus hiring efforts compared to last year, aiming to more than double its intake.
While IT services providers have shown interest, students are seeking opportunities with companies offering salaries of 8-10 lakh or more. IT firms typically offer a compensation range of 4-7 lakh, but recruiters visiting IITs often offer higher salaries. The median compensation for newer IITs can range from 12-13 lakh, while older institutes often see salaries ranging from 20-55 lakh.
Early recruiters on IIT campuses this year include established companies like Samsung, Accenture, Larsen & Toubro, and Godrej Properties. Godrej Properties, for example, is looking to hire from technology institutes, with plans to revise salaries upwards for engineering graduates. They currently offer 15 lakh to IIT and NIT graduates, compared to 33 lakh for top B-school graduates.
Smaller IITs with fewer students to place are focusing on attracting companies based in southern India due to their proximity to the colleges. The older IITs, on the other hand, have a larger graduating class, typically placing thousands of students each year.
Last year, the placement season saw high-paying companies like Google India, Apple, Microsoft India, and others offering salaries in the range of 80 lakh to 1.4 crore. These companies, which include Databricks, Quadeye, Graviton Research Capital, and others, offered roles in India and other locations like the UK, US, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
In addition to the traditional players, the IITs are also looking to quick commerce platforms and startups for placement opportunities. This reflects the changing landscape of the tech industry and the growing importance of these emerging sectors in the Indian market.
With the placement season in full swing, the IITs are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that their graduates secure desirable opportunities. Their proactive approach and targeted recruitment efforts highlight the importance of early engagement with employers and the evolving dynamics of the job market in the tech sector.
