IIT placements often mirror larger trends in India’s tech talent market. Global companies continue to scout top skills despite economic uncertainty. This year, results from IIT Hyderabad have drawn special attention.
One of the biggest highlights is Edward Nathan Varghese, a 21-year-old computer science student. He secured a record Rs 2.5 crore package from Netherlands-based trading firm Optiver. This is the highest offer in IITH’s history since 2008.
Varghese converted a two-month internship into a pre-placement offer. He credited his success to strong performance in competitive programming, where he ranked among the top 100 nationally. He also benefited from the institute’s flexible curriculum.
Raised in Hyderabad and educated in Bengaluru, Varghese said the IIT brand continues to carry strong global value. He noted that even in a tough job market, top talent still attracts international recruiters. He will begin his role as a software engineer in July.
His achievement was not an isolated case. Another computer science student received a Rs 1.1 crore package. This surpassed the earlier placement record of Rs 1 crore set in 2017.
Overall placement numbers also showed sharp growth. The average package rose by 75 percent to Rs 36.2 lakh, up from Rs 20.8 lakh last year. Phase 1 also saw 24 international offers.
Among undergraduate students, 62 percent of 487 registered candidates were placed. For postgraduate students, average packages reached Rs 22 lakh, with 196 out of 650 students securing offers.
Faculty members, including Mayur Vaidya, highlighted the focus on quality placements. Opportunities spanned technology roles, core engineering positions, and PSUs. The emphasis, they said, remains on long-term career value rather than headlines.
As Phase 2 of placements continues, the results underline resilience in the system. IITs continue to serve as strong pipelines for global talent, even during challenging market conditions.
A computer science engineering student from #IITHyderabad has achieved a historic Rs 2.5 crore package from a #Netherlands-based firm, marking the highest ever at the institution. The institute also saw a significant 75% jump in average packages.
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— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) January 1, 2026
