IIT Placements: Lowest Salary Packages Received by Students in Top IITs Since 2019

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), renowned for their impressive placement records and multi-crore salary packages, have reported surprisingly low minimum salary offers in recent years. While average salaries range between ₹20 to ₹28 lakh per annum, and top packages can exceed crores, some students have received much lower offers, reflecting the impact of global economic uncertainties.

Recent placement data from IIT Bombay showed that the lowest package offered this year was ₹4 lakh per annum, a significant drop compared to previous years. Experts attribute this trend to the broader economic situation, which has influenced campus recruitment.

IIT Placement: Lowest Salaries (2019-2024)

• IIT Madras: Ranked first in NIRF 2024, IIT Madras saw its lowest salary fluctuate between ₹5.4 lakh per annum in 2019-20 to ₹6 lakh per annum in 2023-24, despite a rise in average salaries from ₹29.28 lakh to ₹41.72 lakh over the same period.
• IIT Bombay: Ranked third in NIRF 2024, IIT Bombay’s lowest package this year was ₹4 lakh, with 10 offers ranging from ₹4 to ₹6 lakh. The campus also saw 22 students securing crore-plus offers, mostly for international roles.
• IIT Kharagpur: Ranked fifth, IIT Kharagpur’s lowest packages varied from ₹7 lakh to ₹16 lakh in recent years. The 2023 placements saw over 700 offers, including six crore-plus packages on the first day.
• IIT Roorkee: Salaries consistently ranged between ₹6-8 lakh annually across the past five years.
• IIT Guwahati: Noted a low salary of ₹5.23 lakh in 2022-23, with other years averaging around ₹7 lakh.
• IIT Delhi: Ranked second in NIRF 2024, IIT Delhi reported a lowest package of ₹10 lakh per annum, with highest and average stipends being ₹4.04 lakh and ₹2.63 lakh per month, respectively, in its summer placements.

Despite the impressive overall numbers, IITs have decided not to publicly disclose individual salary packages, recognizing the potential negative impact on students’ mental health due to the intense competitiveness and high expectations around compensation figures. According to an AIPC member, “Majority of these crore-worth offers are international, and publicizing such figures can adversely affect students’ mental well-being.” This approach aims to maintain a balanced environment where the focus remains on skill development rather than salary comparisons.

Source: Indian Express