In a stunning achievement that has set a new benchmark, a final-year student from the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) has secured the highest placement package in the institute's history, a staggering Rs 2.5 crore per annum. The student, Edward Nathan Varghese, has received this monumental offer from Optiver, a leading global trading firm based in the Netherlands.
From Hyderabad to the Netherlands: The Record-Breaking Journey
Edward Nathan Varghese, a 21-year-old pursuing Computer Science and Engineering, will begin his role as a software engineer at Optiver's Netherlands office in July 2025. This offer did not come out of the blue but was the result of a strategic conversion. Varghese first completed a rigorous two-month internship with the firm, which he successfully turned into a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO). Remarkably, he was the only one among two IIT-H students selected for the internship to receive the coveted full-time position.
His path to this record-breaking success was paved with years of dedicated effort. A native of Hyderabad who later moved to Bengaluru for schooling from Class 7, Varghese began his preparation early. From his first year at IIT Hyderabad, he immersed himself in competitive programming, a discipline that honed his skills to such an extent that he broke into the elite top 100 coders in India.
More Than Just Academics: Leadership and Focus
Varghese's profile extends beyond technical prowess. His leadership roles on campus played a significant part in shaping his holistic development. As per his LinkedIn profile, he served as the Overall Head of the Office of Career Services at IIT Hyderabad. In this capacity, he managed a core team of eight student managers and coordinated the work of nearly 250 placement coordinators, a massive responsibility that preceded his earlier role as an Internship Cell Coordinator.
His focused approach is evident in his placement strategy. In a season where students often sit for multiple interviews, reports indicate that Optiver was the only company Varghese interviewed with. His confidence was backed by the intensive training during his internship, which included a two-week boot camp followed by a demanding six-week project designed to test technical skills and decision-making under pressure.
A Landmark Season for IIT Hyderabad
The success story of Edward Nathan Varghese is not an isolated incident but the highlight of an exceptional placement season for IIT Hyderabad. The institute witnessed a seismic shift in its placement metrics for the 2025 cycle.
The average salary package saw a dramatic increase of nearly 75%, jumping from Rs 20.8 lakh in 2024 to Rs 36.2 lakh. Furthermore, another Computer Science student secured an impressive package of Rs 1.1 crore. The first phase of placements, which concluded in December, also yielded 24 international offers for students, signaling robust global demand for IIT-H talent despite wider economic uncertainties.
This season decisively broke the previous record held since 2017, where the highest package stood at around Rs 1 crore. The achievement of a Rs 2.5 crore offer underscores the growing value of niche skills in areas like high-frequency trading and algorithmic software development, and positions IIT Hyderabad as a premier source for such elite talent.
