While IIT placements are widely celebrated, there are some “dark realities” that often remain hidden behind the glittering headlines. These aspects highlight the challenges, pressure, and systemic issues faced by students . So here you know some Dark reality of IIT’s and Placements that’s about no one Say.
1. Not Everyone Gets Placed
Despite the brand value, a significant percentage of students (especially in less popular branches) remain unplaced at the end of placement season.
Some students struggle due to a lack of relevant skills, competition, or the mismatch between their field of study and industry demands.
2. Unequal Opportunities Across Branches
Branches like Computer Science and Electrical Engineering dominate placements with lucrative packages, while core branches like Civil, Mechanical, and Chemical face fewer opportunities.
Many students in core branches end up taking non-core roles (e.g., in IT, analytics) as core jobs offer lower pay and fewer openings.
3. Inflated Salary Figures
The highest packages often reported in the media are international offers, which are only available to a select few.
Domestic salaries are much lower, with many offers in the range of ₹6-15 LPA, far from the ₹1 crore packages seen in headlines.
4. Mass Recruiters and Job Security
Many companies hiring in bulk offer standard packages with high work pressure and limited career growth.
Startups or new companies sometimes offer jobs with flashy packages but lack stability, and layoffs are not uncommon.
5. Non-Core Placements Dominate
A majority of students do not get jobs related to their field of study.
This raises questions about the relevance of their technical education and leads to dissatisfaction later in their careers.
6. Immense Pressure to Get Placed
The placement season is highly stressful, with students competing fiercely to secure jobs
.The constant comparison with peers and the fear of being left out takes a toll on mental health, leading to anxiety and depression for some.
7. Skill Gap Issues
Many students rely too heavily on the IIT tag, assuming it will guarantee a job, but lack of industry-relevant skills becomes a hurdle during placements.
Recruiters increasingly focus on practical skills, internships, and projects, not just academic performance.
8. Inequality Among IITs
Older IITs (e.g., Bombay, Delhi, Madras) have stronger placement records and better connections with top companies compared to newer IITs.
Students from newer IITs often face more challenges in attracting recruiters.
9. Burnout in High-Paying Jobs
Many high-paying jobs, particularly in tech or consulting, come with long hours, intense workloads, and high stress, leading to burnout.
The work-life balance in such roles is often poor, and the initial excitement fades quickly for many.
10. Placements Don’t Guarantee Career Success
Securing a job during campus placements is just the beginning. Many IITians realize later that their first job isn’t aligned with their interests, forcing career shifts or further studies.
Job-hopping, reskilling, or preparing for competitive exams like GRE/GMAT is common post-IIT.
11. Societal and Family Pressure
Students face immense pressure from families and society to land high-paying jobs, particularly in consulting, tech, or finance, even if they aren’t interested in those fields.
This often leads to dissatisfaction and a sense of being “stuck” in the wrong career.
12. Dropouts from the Placement Process
Some students don’t even participate in placements due to lack of preparation, lack of confidence, or disinterest, but they still face societal judgment.
These are Dark Reality of IIT’s and thier Placements.
Conclusion
The “dark reality” of IIT placements lies in the disparity between perception and reality. While many students do secure excellent jobs, the journey is not smooth for everyone. Success requires more than the IIT brand—students need to build skills, network, and manage the mental toll of the placement process. It’s crucial to view IIT placements as just one step in a larger career journey, rather than an end goal.