A 21- year old student lands a 2.5 crore Annual Salary package sparks the social media buzz.

Edward Nathan Varghese has set a new standard for Indian campus placements, securing the highest package ever offered at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad), at a whopping annual salary of ₹2.5 crore.

This achievement is a revival for the aspiring Indian tech and engineering students in the age of AI/ML.

Why does his story taste so good?

 At just 21 years old, Edward’s transition from college to a competitive global position represents the potential of determination, expertise, and seizing the right opportunities, rather than just focusing on the salary. Here’s how his breakthrough unfolds: –

Final-Year Student, IIT Hyderabad –  One of India’s premier technology institutes, where placing top talent in global companies is a yearly highlight.

Record Offer from Optiver  – The Netherlands-based global trading and technology firm offered him a ₹2.5 crore annual compensation package for a role as a Software Engineer, a record for IIT Hyderabad placements.

From Internship to PPO – Edward wasn’t discovered through the usual placement drive. Instead, he converted a two-month internship at Optiver into a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO)

Only Interview, First Offer –  Interestingly, Optiver was the only company he interviewed with this season, but it was enough; his determination and preparation clearly paid off.

What Sets Edward Apart?

While many students chase multiple interviews and rely on network effects, Edward’s achievement signals a slightly different route – deep focus on one opportunity and excelling at it.

According to reports:

– He has been active in competitive programming and problem-solving since his early college days, giving him an edge in technical assessments.

– His rigorous academic preparation and solid foundation in computer science made him stand out during internships and evaluations.

– He comes from a supportive background, with both his parents being engineers themselves — perhaps nurturing his analytical mindset from an early age.

Global Tech Firms Seeing India as Talent Hubs  – Companies like Optiver and others are increasingly eyeing top Indian tech talent for roles in AI, trading systems, software engineering, and more…

Record Shifts in Placement Stats-  The previous highest package at the institute was significantly lower, indicating how quickly demand for skilled technologists is rising.

Inspiration for Future Students – Edward’s story shows that with dedication and targeted preparation, students can aspire to roles on the global stage, even from academic settings.

Students, graduates, and career changers can all learn an important lesson from this- success is more often achieved through quality preparation than through simply making multiple attempts.