IIT Alumnus Bags Rs 55 Lakh Job, Highlights Brand Value Over Branch Choice: Think Beyond Streams

A Reddit post has reignited the ongoing debate among Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) aspirants about whether it’s better to prioritize the prestige of an older IIT or to secure a preferred branch, like Computer Science (CS), at a newer IIT.

The author was sharing his personal experience: he chose a less popular branch at IIT Madras over a CS seat at IIT Bhilai. This decision resulted in a high-paying job offer of ₹55 lakh per annum. The author emphasized that the “IIT tag” holds immense value in one’s career, stating, “A degree from an old IIT isn’t just a degree, it’s a signal.”

Earning a salary of 60 LPA base in my second year after graduation with a “low” Old-Generation IIT Branch.
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It further goes on to argue that, while technical skills can be learned elsewhere, brand value and the opportunities an established IIT provides cannot be found elsewhere. The author said, “You don’t need a CS degree to be a great developer. What you do need is access to the right ecosystem, and Old IITs provide exactly that.”

The post brought about varied reactions. One user shared, “My friend got a 1 crore package in India in placements with CS from ‘not old’ IIT. There is no set rule.”. At the end of the day, you have to work hard and grab the opportunities at hand. Another user added, “I low key feel OP is one of the people who get pissed if some tier 3 guy gets same salary in same position as them in a company.”

The debate echoes other Reddit threads that weigh the decision between preferred branches at a newer IIT versus less desirable ones at a more prestigious one. In one thread, a user advised, “When you pick college, always pick the older IITs even if you are getting good branches in tier 3 IITs.