The 2023-24 placement season at IIT Kanpur presented significant challenges, with a notable 12 percent decline in overall placements compared to the previous year. This downturn was particularly marked by a sharp reduction in international job offers, despite a rise in Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs).
The placement scenario at IIT Kanpur saw a considerable drop in the number of international job offers, which plummeted to just 22 this year. In contrast, the previous year had seen 81 international offers, of which 73 were accepted. This decline highlights the broader impact of global economic conditions and evolving trends in automation on hiring practices.
Despite the decrease in international placements, there was a 6 percent increase in PPOs. This year, 66 companies extended a total of 220 PPOs, up from the 208 PPOs offered by 60 companies last year. The rise in PPOs underscores the strong performance of students during internships but did not fully offset the decline in overall job placements.
The overall placement rate for the academic year stood at 76 percent. As of May 31, 2024, 1,096 out of 1,448 registered students had secured placements through the Students' Placement Office (SPO). This marks a decrease from the previous year's figures, where 1,215 out of 1,382 registered students were placed by the end of the placement season.
In terms of specifics, undergraduate programs saw 687 out of 849 registered students (81 percent) obtaining placements, while postgraduate programs had 409 out of 599 students (68 percent) securing jobs. This was a notable drop from last year, where a higher percentage of students were placed.
The 'One Student, One Job' policy implemented by the SPO continued this year, ensuring equal opportunity for all registered students. The placement drive was conducted in a hybrid mode, spanning two phases: Phase 1 from December 1 to December 15, 2023, and Phase 2 starting in mid-January 2024. Preparations for the drive began in July 2023, with 481 organizations participating across both phases.
Despite the hybrid mode of recruitment and the considerable efforts of the SPO team, the placement rate was lower this year. Notably, the Computer Science Engineering (CSE) department, which traditionally leads in placement rates, saw an 87 percent placement rate, down from last year's 95 percent. Furthermore, no department achieved 100 percent placements this year, unlike the previous year when three departments had full placement rates.
Prominent recruiters for IIT Kanpur's 2023-24 campus recruitment included major firms such as Goldman Sachs, Deutsche India, EXL, Google, Microsoft India, Oracle India, Tata Projects, BPCL, Qualcomm, and Reliance Industries, among others. These organizations reflect the high caliber of companies that continue to seek IIT Kanpur graduates, despite the overall decline in placements.
The difficulties faced by IIT Kanpur this year reflect a broader trend affecting many IITs, influenced by the global economic slowdown and increased automation. This challenging environment underscores the need for ongoing adaptation and innovation in placement strategies to better align with evolving market conditions.
