In a striking shift that has sent ripples through India’s engineering corridors, the bulk of IIT Kharagpur placement offers this year have come from Japan, Taiwan and the Middle East, leaving the United States and Europe far behind. The 2025‑26 placement season saw 1,501 offers, with 15 from abroad, and the highest domestic package topping out at ₹2.5 crore per annum.
Background / Context
For decades, Indian engineering graduates have chased high‑paying roles overseas, especially in the United States and Europe. However, geopolitical tensions, tightening visa regimes and a global shift toward regional talent pools have altered the landscape. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, one of the country’s premier engineering institutions, now reflects this trend in its placement statistics.
In the 2024‑25 season, 17 offers came from Japan, two from Taiwan, two from the UAE and one each from the Netherlands and the UK. The 2023‑24 season recorded only a single U.S. offer. These numbers underscore a broader realignment of multinational corporations’ hiring strategies, with a growing preference for East Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
Key Developments
At the end of Phase 1 of the 2025‑26 placement season, IIT Kharagpur’s Career Development Centre reported the following:
- International offers: 15 total – 10 from Japan, 2 from Dubai, 1 from London (Europe), 1 from Singapore.
- Domestic offers: 1,486, with 5 packages exceeding ₹2 crore per annum.
₹2.5 crore per annum. ₹1.4 crore per annum (Japan). 9 students secured packages above ₹1 crore per annum. - More than 1,200 students received salaries between ₹15 lakh and ₹45 lakh per annum, predominantly in core engineering roles.
- Six PhD and four MS (research) students secured lucrative R&D contracts, with two PhD students receiving offers from Japan.
Sanju Gupta, chairperson of the Career Development Centre, remarked, “We are seeing that the top offers are domestic, a trend that is contrary to the perception that high pay packages are limited to international offers.” He added that the shift is partly due to companies’ strategic realignment and the difficulty of securing U.S. work visas.
Impact Analysis
For students, the data signals a paradigm shift. The traditional narrative that the best salaries lie overseas is being challenged by robust domestic offers. This has several implications:
- Financial security: Domestic roles now offer competitive remuneration, reducing the need for students to relocate abroad.
- Career flexibility: With high-paying roles available locally, graduates can choose positions that align with personal and family considerations.
- Skill relevance: Companies in Japan, Taiwan and the Middle East are increasingly recruiting Indian talent for roles that demand cutting‑edge skills in AI, semiconductor design and renewable energy.
- Visa uncertainty: The tightening of U.S. visa policies has made overseas placements less predictable, pushing students to consider more stable domestic options.
Moreover, the surge in domestic offers reflects a broader trend of multinational corporations establishing or expanding R&D hubs in India. This not only boosts the local economy but also provides Indian engineers with exposure to global best practices without the cultural and logistical challenges of relocation.
Expert Insights / Tips
Industry analysts suggest several strategies for students navigating this evolving landscape:
- Leverage regional strengths: Focus on skill sets that are in high demand in Japan, Taiwan and the Middle East, such as machine learning, embedded systems and advanced manufacturing.
- Build a global portfolio: Even if you aim for a domestic role, showcase projects that demonstrate international standards and cross‑border collaboration.
- Network proactively: Attend virtual career fairs hosted by Japanese and Middle Eastern firms; many are now offering remote interviews to Indian candidates.
- Understand compensation structures: Domestic packages often include performance bonuses and equity options that can rival overseas salaries over time.
- Prepare for cultural nuances: If you secure an international offer, invest time in learning the local business etiquette and language basics to ease the transition.
Dr. Meera Patel, a career coach at the Institute of Management, advises, “Students should not view domestic offers as a fallback. They are increasingly competitive and can offer a balanced work‑life environment, especially for those who value proximity to family and cultural familiarity.”
Looking Ahead
As Phase 2 of the placement season commences, the trend is expected to intensify. Companies are reportedly expanding their Indian footprints, and the demand for high‑skill engineers is projected to grow by 12% over the next three years. The Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative, coupled with favorable policies for foreign direct investment, is likely to attract more multinational R&D centers to the country.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and European markets may see a gradual rebound as visa policies evolve, but the current data suggests that Indian students will continue to find lucrative opportunities closer to home. The rise of remote work and hybrid models further blurs the lines between domestic and international roles, allowing Indian engineers to collaborate with global teams while remaining in India.
For students and alumni, staying informed about industry trends, continuously upgrading technical skills, and building a strong professional network will be key to capitalizing on the opportunities presented by this shifting placement landscape.
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