IITH Student Lands Record-Breaking Rs 2.5 Crore Package
Hyderabad: In a remarkable achievement amid a challenging job market, a final-year computer science engineering student from the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH), has secured a job offer worth Rs 2.5 crore from a Netherlands-based firm. This milestone marks the highest package ever awarded to a student in the history of the institute, which was established in 2008.
About the Student
Edward Nathan Varghese, the 21-year-old student, will commence his role as a software engineer at Optiver, a global trading firm, starting in July. Varghese earned this prestigious offer after successfully converting a two-month internship into a pre-placement offer (PPO).
Varghese’s Journey
Expressing his excitement, Varghese shared, “This was the first and only company I interviewed for. I was ecstatic when my mentor indicated that the firm would be extending me an offer. So were my parents.” Born and raised in Hyderabad, he pursued his education in Bengaluru from class 7 to class 12. Despite the prevailing market slowdown, Varghese remained confident about securing a lucrative package.
Factors Contributing to Success
Varghese attributed his success to several factors:
- The prestigious IIT tag, which attracts numerous companies to the campus.
- His involvement in competitive programming, where he ranked among the top 100 in the country.
- A diverse curriculum that allowed him to explore a wide range of courses.
- His luck in receiving a PPO, which is a rare achievement.
Internship Experience
During his internship at Optiver, Varghese participated in a two-week training program followed by a six-week project. Out of two students selected for the internship, he was the only one to receive a PPO.
Other Notable Achievements
In addition to Varghese’s record-breaking offer, another computer science engineering student at IITH secured a package of Rs 1.1 crore, further elevating the institute’s reputation in the job market. Until this year, the highest package recorded for an IITH student was approximately Rs 1 crore, achieved in 2017.
Overall Placement Statistics
The year 2025 not only witnessed Varghese’s exceptional achievement but also marked a significant increase in the average packages offered at IITH. The average package rose by approximately 75% compared to 2024, climbing from Rs 20.8 lakh to Rs 36.2 lakh.
Placement Highlights
Key statistics from the 2025 placement season include:
- Total international offers secured: 24
- Percentage of undergraduate students who received job offers: 62%
- Average package for postgraduate students: Rs 22 lakh
Focus on Student Placement
Mayur Vaidya, the faculty-in-charge of the Office of Career Services at IITH, emphasized that the primary goal is to ensure that all students who wish to secure a job receive a good offer. He stated, “More than packages, our target is to ensure that all students who want to get placed receive a good offer. Along with tech jobs, we are also concentrating on providing good opportunities to core engineering students by giving PSUs and core engineering companies early slots.”
Future Prospects
As the second phase of placements approaches, Vaidya indicated that more postgraduate students are likely to receive offers from domestic companies. Currently, 196 out of 650 postgraduate students have been placed, showcasing the institute’s commitment to student success.
Historical Context of Packages
The following is a summary of the highest packages recorded at IITH over the past three years:
- 2025-26: Rs 2.5 crore
- 2024-25: Rs 66 lakh
- 2023-24: Rs 90 lakh
Conclusion
Edward Nathan Varghese’s achievement not only sets a new benchmark for IITH but also reflects the institute’s growing prominence in the competitive landscape of engineering education. As the job market continues to evolve, IITH remains committed to providing its students with the skills and opportunities necessary to succeed in their careers.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on data available as of January 2026.
