Article Today, Hyderabad:
In a strong move to protect student interests, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have barred more than 20 corporate companies from participating in campus placement drives. The decision follows repeated complaints that these firms issued job offers and later withdrew them at the last moment. Several companies are also accused of reducing agreed salary packages after students joined. The ban will be enforced across all IIT campuses in the country.
Offers Withdrawn at the Last Moment
During the previous academic year, several final-year students received offer letters after clearing campus recruitment processes. However, many of these offers were cancelled barely a few days before the scheduled joining date. Since students who secure one offer are not allowed to attend further placement interviews, many were left without any alternative employment option. As a result, several students faced severe uncertainty and distress.
Salary Cuts After Joining
In addition to revoked offers, some companies reportedly reduced the salary packages after students formally joined their organisations. Students said the salaries offered during interviews were not honoured. This led to financial insecurity and a breach of trust. One student revealed that a package of Rs.30 lakh was promised but later cancelled just two days before joining.
Mental Distress Among Students
The sudden loss of confirmed employment opportunities caused significant mental stress among affected students. Many students reported anxiety, depression and fear about their future careers. With the job market already sluggish, finding alternate employment at short notice became extremely difficult. The issue triggered widespread anger across IIT campuses.
Joint Decision by Placement Cells
The unethical practices were reported across several IITs. Placement coordinators from at least 15 IITs jointly reviewed the cases and decided to impose a uniform ban on the erring companies. Past records of repeated violations and misleading recruitment practices were taken into account before the action was finalised. The IITs stated that student welfare and mental well-being were central to the decision.
Companies Allowed only Off-campus Hiring
The banned firms will be permitted to recruit students only through off-campus processes. However, they will not be allowed to participate in any official campus placement activity. Meanwhile, IITs are encouraging greater participation of startups, especially those supported under the ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiative and campus-incubated ventures, to expand employment opportunities.
Students Welcome the Move
Students across IIT campuses have welcomed the decision and described it as a necessary step to restore fairness in placements. The institutions have made it clear that companies engaging in unethical recruitment practices will not be given space on campus. The move is expected to set a strong precedent for accountability in corporate hiring.
