The prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology’s (IITs) are grappling with a new reality – a significant rise in the number of graduates leaving without jobs after campus placements.
Data compiled by IIT Kanpur alumnus and placements mentor Dheeraj Singh, based on Right to Information requests, annual reports, media reports, and student insights, paints a concerning picture. In 2024, a staggering 8,090 graduates from a pool of 21,500 registered students remained unplaced, representing a placement rate of just 62%. This is a sharp decline compared to 2023, where the unplaced rate hovered around 20.85% (4,170 unplaced out of 20,000).
The number of unplaced students nearly doubled year-on-year, highlighting a worrying trend. While the average annual package for placed students remained healthy at Rs. 17.1 lakh, the overall job market seems to be tightening its grip on IIT graduates.
Several factors are likely at play. A possible cause could be the crisis of expectations in the field of information technology, where a lot of specialists who obtain higher education in IIT usually get employed. Many big IT firms have refused to come to colleges to recruit this year, and this has led to increased demand for the few jobs available to fresh graduates. Furthermore, the broader economic slowdown might be impacting companies across sectors, leading to a more cautious approach to hiring fresh graduates.
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This scenario generates worrying attitudes about the evidence that IIT graduates contribute in job markets and the worth of an IIT degree. Nonetheless, it should be recalled that job fairs are not the only place where work opportunities can be found. Many students may be pursuing higher studies or seeking opportunities outside the traditional placement process.
In addressing this problem, IITs and the government need to take a stand. It is possible for them to improve their chances of getting employed by giving students practical skills other than just basic engineering knowledge. Additionally through engaging more with their graduates’ networks that might not be traditional; has potential for opening up more avenues in terms of employment opportunities.
As things stand, finding work is no easy task, but it can be done if need be. If they take chances and come up with unconventional solutions though, IITs have the potential to keep producing graduates who can stand out among others seeking employment in a changing employment landscape.
