IIT Hyderabad Sets New Placement Record as Student Secures ₹2.5 Crore International Job Offer
The Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) has entered a new chapter in its placement history with a record-breaking international job offer of ₹2.5 crore per annum. A final-year computer science engineering student has secured the highest package ever offered at the institute since its inception in 2008, significantly raising the benchmark for future placement seasons.
The milestone was achieved by Edward Nathan Varghese, a 21-year-old computer science student, who received the offer from Optiver, a Netherlands-based global trading firm. The offer not only marks a personal achievement for Varghese but also represents a defining moment for IIT Hyderabad’s growing reputation among global recruiters, particularly in high-end technology and trading roles.
Landmark Offer from a Global Trading Firm
Varghese will join Optiver as a software engineer at the company’s Netherlands office starting in July. The ₹2.5 crore annual compensation was extended as a pre-placement offer (PPO) after he successfully completed a two-month summer internship with the firm. Notably, this was Varghese’s first and only interview during the placement season, underscoring the strength of his internship performance and technical profile.
According to IIT Hyderabad officials, this is the highest placement package ever recorded by the institute. Until now, the top offer stood at around ₹1 crore, which was achieved in 2017. The new record more than doubles that figure, highlighting the institute’s rapid rise in attracting top-tier international employers.
From Internship to PPO
Varghese’s journey to the record-breaking offer began with his summer internship at Optiver. The internship programme consisted of two weeks of intensive training followed by a six-week project, designed to test both technical ability and problem-solving skills in real-world trading systems. Although two students from IIT Hyderabad were selected for the internship, Varghese was the only one to convert it into a PPO, reflecting his standout performance.
Born and raised in Hyderabad, Varghese completed his schooling in Bengaluru from Class 7 to Class 12. Coming from a family of engineers—both his parents are engineers—he was exposed early to analytical thinking and problem-solving, which later translated into academic and professional success.
Competitive Programming and Academic Flexibility
Varghese attributes his success to his early involvement in competitive programming and the academic flexibility offered by IIT Hyderabad. During his undergraduate years, he ranked among the top 100 competitive programmers in the country, a distinction that played a key role in sharpening his algorithmic thinking and coding efficiency.
He has spoken about how IIT Hyderabad’s curriculum and environment allowed him to explore advanced topics, balance coursework with programming competitions, and pursue internships that aligned closely with his interests. This combination of strong fundamentals and practical exposure proved critical in cracking the selection process at a highly competitive global firm like Optiver.
Another High-Value International Offer
Adding to the institute’s strong showing this year, another computer science engineering student from IIT Hyderabad secured an international job offer worth ₹1.1 crore. This further elevates the institute’s placement profile and demonstrates that the ₹2.5 crore offer is not an isolated case but part of a broader upward trend in compensation and global opportunities.
A Transformational Placement Season
The 2025 placement season has been particularly significant for IIT Hyderabad, not just because of record-breaking individual packages, but also due to substantial overall growth in salaries. The average package rose by approximately 75%, increasing from ₹20.8 lakh in 2024 to ₹36.2 lakh in 2025.
In the first phase of placements, which concluded in December, students secured 24 international job offers, reflecting increased interest from global recruiters and the institute’s strengthening international footprint.
Focus Beyond Headline Numbers
Mayur Vaidya, Faculty-in-Charge of the Office of Career Services at IIT Hyderabad, emphasized that while high-value offers attract attention, the institute’s broader goal is inclusive and quality-driven placement outcomes.
According to Vaidya, the priority is to ensure that every student who seeks placement receives a good-quality job offer, rather than focusing solely on top packages. Alongside technology and software roles, IIT Hyderabad is actively encouraging public sector undertakings (PSUs) and core engineering companies to participate in the placement process. These recruiters are being offered early placement slots to attract diverse and meaningful opportunities for students across disciplines.
Progress in Postgraduate and Undergraduate Placements
Placement outcomes have also been encouraging across different academic levels. In Phase Two of the placement process, more postgraduate students are expected to receive offers from domestic companies. So far, 196 postgraduate students out of 650 have been placed, with an average package of ₹22 lakh.
Among undergraduate students, placement momentum remains strong. Of the 487 registered candidates, 62% have already secured job offers, indicating steady progress and healthy demand for IIT Hyderabad graduates.
Highest Packages in Recent Years
A look at the highest packages offered at IIT Hyderabad over the past few years highlights the institute’s rapid growth:
- 2025–26: ₹2.5 crore
- 2024–25: ₹66 lakh
- 2023–24: ₹90 lakh
The sharp rise in the top package this year underscores IIT Hyderabad’s increasing appeal to elite global recruiters, especially in sectors such as quantitative trading, software engineering, and advanced technology.
Strengthening Global Presence
The latest placement results clearly underline IIT Hyderabad’s expanding presence among top international employers. With record-breaking offers, a sharp rise in average salaries, and growing participation from global firms, the institute is steadily establishing itself as a major talent hub in the global technology and trading ecosystem.
As IIT Hyderabad continues to focus on academic excellence, industry-aligned training, and holistic placement outcomes, this year’s achievements signal a promising trajectory for both current students and future aspirants.
