Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) BTech students are increasingly rejecting Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs) for the upcoming 2025-2026 placement season. Students prioritize higher salary packages, improved work-life balance, and specific work environments over accepted PPOs. Phase 1 of IIT placements begins on December 1 , creating anticipation among final-year students.
Rising PPO Rejections
An increase in PPO rejections marks a notable trend this year across IIT campuses. This trend suggests students hold stronger confidence in securing better offers during the full final placement drive. A student member of IIT Hyderabad’s placement team confirmed this shift in student strategy.
Reasons for rejecting PPOs typically fall into two main categories. Firstly, students often find they dislike the specific sector where they completed their internship. Secondly, they are unsatisfied with the salary package initially offered. Many now believe they will achieve a higher Cost-to-Company (CTC) during final placements compared to PPO proposals.
Seeking Higher Packages
Many students are actively declining PPOs in pursuit of more lucrative compensation. For example, an IIT Delhi chemical engineering student turned down a remote core sector PPO valued at Rs 20-25 lakh per annum . He expressed a desire for a different role and a better offer in December’s placement phase.
Similarly, an IIT Delhi Computer Science Engineering student rejected a PPO worth Rs 20 lakh from a Mumbai-based finance company. He stated this offer was too low for his expectations. He anticipates securing a superior package for the same role during the initial phase of placements.
A student from the IIT Hyderabad placement team also rejected an offer in the Rs 18-25 lakh per year range from a healthcare and pharmaceuticals company. He found the role unenticing and felt its growth prospects were significantly limited.
Work-Life Balance vs. ‘Hustle Culture’
Student preferences for work environments now show distinct patterns. One segment prioritizes work-life balance, actively seeking positions located in major cities or within multinational corporations (MNCs). These students often view such roles as providing greater stability and personal time.
The IIT Delhi chemical engineering student specifically sought a job offering work-life balance within a city location. An IIT Hyderabad engineering science student also declined an IT product company offer. He stated a preference for working in a Japanese company or an MNC, citing better work-life balance compared to startup environments.
In contrast, another group of students actively seeks a “hustle culture.” These individuals thrive on the fast pace and demanding nature often found in startups. They believe such environments offer a steeper learning curve and rapid skill development.
An IIT Roorkee chemical engineering student rejected his PPO, a software developer role in a banking company, worth Rs 17 lakh per annum . He explained that banking-software roles typically offer a slower workflow. He desires a startup environment that encourages quicker learning of new tools and concepts.
Diverse Placement Strategies
IIT students are not solely relying on PPOs or the initial phases of campus placements. Many are preparing to explore opportunities through later phases of the placement drive or actively seeking roles off-campus. This diversified approach reflects a strategic response to the competitive job market.
The IIT Roorkee student confirmed plans to pursue off-campus placements if Phase 1 does not yield a desired offer. This strategy allows students to avoid limiting themselves to a single sector. IIT Hyderabad students emphasize attaining sufficient work experience across multiple sectors. This builds a meaningful professional portfolio before graduation, enhancing their market advantage.