In a remarkable achievement amid a challenging job market, a final year BTech Computer Science Engineering student from Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT H), Edward Nathan Varghese, has secured a record-breaking salary package of ₹2.5 crore. The offer came from Optiver, a global trading firm based in the Netherlands.
IIT Hyderabad confirmed that this is the highest package offered to any student since the institute’s inception in 2008. Edward Nathan Varghese will begin his role as a software engineer at Optiver after converting his two-month internship into a pre-placement offer (PPO).
Speaking to Udaipur Kiran, Varghese shared that Optiver was the only company he interviewed with. His excitement grew when his mentor hinted at the offer, bringing joy to both him and his parents. Born and raised in Hyderabad, Varghese completed his schooling from Class 7 to 12 in Bengaluru. He expressed confidence in securing a good package despite the market slowdown.
Both of Varghese’s parents are engineers. He credited IIT’s reputation and his competitive programming skills—where he ranked among the top 100 nationally—as key factors in clearing the interview. The curriculum’s flexibility also helped him prepare well. Optiver selected two interns, but Varghese was the only one to receive a PPO. His internship included two weeks of training followed by a six-week project. He will be working full-time from the company’s Netherlands office.
In addition to Varghese, another IIT Hyderabad CSE student received a package of ₹1.1 crore, raising the institute’s placement standards. Previously, the highest package was around ₹1 crore, recorded in 2017.
The year 2025 also saw a significant rise in the average salary package at IIT Hyderabad, which increased by approximately 75% from ₹20.8 lakh in 2024 to ₹36.2 lakh. During the first phase of placements ending December 2025, students received 24 international job offers.
Mayur Vaidya, Faculty-in-Charge of the Office of Career Services, emphasized that the institute’s priority is to ensure good offers for all placement-seeking students. Alongside tech job opportunities, early slots are being given to PSU and core engineering companies to benefit core engineering students. The institute is actively engaging more firms by highlighting its flexible calendar, diverse courses, and curriculum.
In the second phase of placements, more postgraduate students are expected to receive offers from domestic companies. Currently, 196 out of 650 postgraduate students have been placed with an average package of ₹22 lakh. Among 487 undergraduate students registered for placements, 62% have received job offers.
Data shows that BTech Computer Science Engineering remains the most sought-after branch among JEE Main and Advanced toppers. IIT Bombay’s BTech CSE program is the top preference for JEE Advanced toppers.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
