As the academic year 2023-24 progresses, several Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are facing placement woes, highlighting ongoing challenges in the job market despite students' technical prowess and educational qualifications.
At IIT Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, 64% of students are yet to secure placements out of the 208 who registered for campus placements. Similarly, at IIT Roorkee, 46% of students out of the 2,944 registered are still awaiting placement opportunities. IIT Tirupati also faces a similar situation, with 46% of students yet to secure placements.
These figures were revealed in response to Right to Information (RTI) pleas filed by Dheeraj Singh, the founder of the Global IIT Alumni Support Group. It's important to note that placements are still ongoing, and these statistics provide a snapshot of the current scenario.
Looking back at previous years, the challenges persist. In the academic year 2021-22, 21 students at IIT Bhilai couldn't secure jobs through campus placements, and this number increased to 18 in 2022-23.
In terms of salary packages, there has been a slight dip in both average and median salaries across IITs. For example, at IIT Bhilai, the average salary dropped from Rs 14.48 lakh in 2022-23 to Rs 13.47 lakh in 2023-24. Similarly, at IIT Roorkee, the percentage placement fell from 87.18% in 2021-22 to 54.26% in 2023-24.
Delving into specific programs like BTech, the placement percentages vary across years. At IIT Roorkee, the percentage placement for BTech programs dropped from 96.34% in 2021-22 to 65.89% in 2023-24, highlighting a concerning trend.
These challenges come amidst broader discussions about the job market's dynamics, economic factors, and industry demands. The COVID-19 pandemic's lingering impact on various sectors might also contribute to the current placement scenario.
As students and institutions navigate these challenges, it underscores the importance of holistic career preparation, including skill development, internships, and industry collaborations. Institutes may need to adapt strategies to align with evolving job market trends and employer expectations.
The story of placement woes at IITs reflects a broader narrative in higher education and employment sectors, prompting discussions on enhancing employability skills, career guidance, and industry-academia partnerships to bridge the gap between education and employment.