As the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) enter the second phase of placements, their placement war rooms are intensifying efforts to devise strategies for attracting more job offers. The initial phase, which concluded in December at the established IITs, saw a 15-20% decline in the number of Class of 2024 students securing employment compared to the previous year. Faced with reduced hiring by companies across various sectors, particularly in technology products and services, the IITs are diligently exploring avenues to maximize job placements for graduating students.
To counter the challenging job market, some students who are yet to secure on-campus offers have started applying for off-campus positions as a precautionary measure. In response, the institutes, having already expanded their list of recruiters, are now actively reaching out to additional companies through alumni networks, venture capitalists, and platforms like LinkedIn. Startups and public sector organizations are among the entities being approached, according to placement officials.
This year has proven to be one of the most challenging for placements across IITs, with the impact on job opportunities felt throughout the institutes. Notably, IIT Bombay reported 1,188 placements in the initial 20 days of the first phase, compared to 1,431 in 16 days for the Class of 2023. Similarly, IIT Kanpur recorded 913 placements in the first phase, a decrease from 1,128 placements in the previous batch.
To enhance opportunities, some old IITs are considering leveraging existing relationships with companies involved in research and development collaborations. As the second phase of placements unfolds from January to April-May, the institutes remain committed to supporting students in securing valuable employment opportunities.
