IIT Hyderabad Student Bags Rs 2.5 Crore Package, Highest in Institute History
IIT Hyderabad has made headlines with the remarkable achievement of its final-year student, Edward Nathan Varghese, who has secured a record-breaking job offer of Rs 2.5 crore from Optiver, a renowned Dutch trading firm. This offer marks the highest package ever recorded at the institute since its establishment in 2008.
Edward’s Journey to Success
Edward Nathan Varghese began his academic journey at IIT Hyderabad as a computer science undergraduate, immersing himself in coding, classes, and various competitions. Little did he know that four years later, he would emerge with an unprecedented job offer that would set a new benchmark for the institute.
Details of the Job Offer
The 21-year-old student received the lucrative offer from Optiver, where he will take on the role of a software engineer starting in July. This opportunity was a result of his successful summer internship with the company, which he converted into a pre-placement offer. Remarkably, Edward only interviewed with Optiver during the placement season, highlighting his exceptional performance during the internship.
Internship to Full-Time Role
During his summer internship, Edward was one of only two students selected by Optiver. His ability to stand out among his peers and secure a full-time position speaks volumes about his skills and dedication. He attributes his success to several factors, including the prestigious IIT tag, a flexible academic curriculum, and a strong emphasis on coding and competitive programming from the outset of his engineering education.
Academic Achievements
Born and raised in Hyderabad, Edward later moved to Bengaluru, where he completed his schooling from Class 7 to Class 12. His academic performance has been consistently impressive, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 1100 in JEE Main and AIR 558 in JEE Advanced in 2022, which earned him admission to IIT Hyderabad. Additionally, Edward also appeared for the Common Admission Test (CAT) and achieved an outstanding 99.96 percentile in 2025, securing a rank of 120.
Leadership Roles on Campus
Edward’s profile extends beyond academics. He served as the Overall Head at the Office of Career Services at IIT Hyderabad, leading a team of eight student managers and nearly 250 coordinators across various placement and internship cells. Prior to this, he worked as an Internship Cell Coordinator for nearly eleven months, gaining valuable insights into the campus placement process.
Interests Beyond Coding
In addition to his academic and leadership roles, Edward has diverse interests. He has expressed a passion for algorithms, competitive programming, finance, and management. Through his LinkedIn profile, he emphasizes his eagerness to explore these domains and connect with like-minded individuals. Coming from a family of engineers, Edward’s parents have expressed immense pride in his accomplishments.
Significance of the Record Offer
Until Edward’s achievement, the highest package offered at IIT Hyderabad was Rs 1.1 crore in 2017. In comparison, the highest offers in recent years were Rs 90 lakh in 2023-24 and Rs 66 lakh in 2024-25. Edward’s Rs 2.5 crore offer not only surpasses these figures but also signifies a pivotal moment in the institute’s placement history, showcasing the growing demand for skilled graduates in the tech and finance sectors.
Conclusion
Edward Nathan Varghese’s remarkable journey from a student focused on coding to securing the highest job offer in IIT Hyderabad’s history serves as an inspiration to many aspiring engineers. His dedication, academic excellence, and leadership skills have undoubtedly set a new standard for future graduates of the institute.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on reports available as of January 2, 2026.
