Investing Big in Techies: Trading Firms and Investment Platforms Line Up at IITs with Largest Pay Cheques
As the final placement season approaches for the Class of 2026 at India’s prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), an increasing number of trading firms and investment platforms are preparing to offer some of the largest pay packages seen in recent years. The competition among these firms to attract top engineering talent is fierce, with several companies poised to make pre-placement offers (PPOs) that exceed previous benchmarks.
Top Paymasters in the Industry
According to placement cells at various IITs, firms such as Da Vinci Derivatives, NK Securities, and Rubrik are expected to be among the highest paymasters. Here are some of the anticipated salary packages:
- Da Vinci Derivatives: Over ₹2.5 crore
- NK Securities: Approximately ₹1.65 crore
- Rubrik: ₹1.49 crore
- Glean, IMC Trading, Databricks, APT Portfolio: Over ₹1 crore
- Atlas Research, Quadeye, Quantbox, Graviton: Between ₹90 lakh and ₹1 crore
These figures reflect both international and domestic offers, highlighting the lucrative opportunities available for graduates from these elite institutions.
The Legacy of IITs
The legacy IITs, which include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, and BHU (Varanasi), are witnessing a surge in interest from top-tier firms. The salary packages offered may vary across different campuses and typically include a combination of base pay, fixed and variable bonuses, joining bonuses, relocation allowances, and other perks.
Why the High Demand?
Algorithmic and proprietary trading firms are particularly keen on hiring IIT graduates to enhance their core infrastructure. In an automated trading environment, even minor improvements in systems can significantly boost execution efficiency. This demand is driven by the growing reliance on technology in trading and investment platforms.
Notable Offers from Previous Years
Last year, the global trading firm Jane Street set a record by offering a PPO of about ₹4.3 crore to a student from IIT Madras for a role in Hong Kong. This year, while Jane Street has recruited interns from the Class of 2026, it remains unclear whether they will extend any PPOs. The firm did not respond to inquiries regarding their hiring plans.
Optimism Among Placement Cells
Placement cells at various IITs express optimism regarding the upcoming placement season. The number of PPOs has increased compared to previous years, and more recruiters, including several first-time visitors, are expected to attend this season. According to SK Shrivastava, coordinator for the training and placement cell at IIT BHU, Varanasi, “Recruiter performance has been strong, and the overall environment feels very promising. We are optimistic.”
Salary Trends and Expectations
The top package at IIT BHU this year comes from NK Securities, which has offered ₹1.65 crore for a software development engineer role. Rubrik has also made a significant PPO of ₹1.49 crore. The overall number of PPOs at IIT BHU has risen by 7% compared to last year, indicating a trend of better internships and higher PPO conversions.
While many companies have maintained similar salary levels as last year, there is a general expectation that average salaries will rise this season. Major players such as Google, Microsoft, ITC, Hindustan Unilever, Flipkart, Ola, Amazon, and DE Shaw are also competing for IIT talent, with starting salaries ranging from ₹30 lakh to ₹50 lakh and beyond.
Focus on Emerging Technologies
Despite a cautious approach to hiring in some sectors, there is a notable demand for talent in artificial intelligence, digital technology, and product development. Sangeeta Gupta, senior vice president of the IT industry body Nasscom, points out that companies are investing heavily in building AI-led solutions and services, further driving the demand for skilled professionals.
The Rise of Pre-Placement Offers
PPOs have become an increasingly popular hiring strategy, particularly among high-frequency trading firms. Many of these firms are now focusing exclusively on candidates who have completed internships with them. Sudeept Sinha, founder of quantitative high-frequency trading firm Atlas Research, mentioned that they plan to hire about 10-15 IIT graduates from the Class of 2026, specifically from streams such as computer science, engineering, and mathematics.
Conclusion
The competitive landscape for IIT graduates is set to intensify as trading firms and investment platforms prepare to offer unprecedented salary packages. The combination of high demand for technical skills and the lucrative nature of the roles available makes this an exciting time for students entering the job market. With optimism from placement cells and a variety of firms vying for top talent, the Class of 2026 is poised for a promising start to their careers.
Note: This article is based on information available as of December 2025 and reflects the current trends in the job market for IIT graduates.
