Increased Female Participation in IITs and IIMs; 93% of Students Secured Placements

According to data released by SBI Research, approximately 93% of students in institutions like IITs, IIMs, and NITs have secured placements on average. Simultaneously, female participation in these institutions has also risen over the past few years.

Career opportunities are steadily growing for students studying at the country’s premier technical and management institutes. Data from SBI Research indicates that, on average, about 93% of students in institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and NITs have secured placements. There has also been a consistent increase in female participation in these institutions over the last few years; notably, IIMs have witnessed a significant rise in women’s representation. The report highlights that between 2014 and 2026, the total number of IITs, IIMs, and NITs increased from 59 to 76. Along with the rise in the number of institutions, there has been a substantial increase in the total student population.

SBI Research data reveals that the share of women in available programs across 14 IIMs stood at 26.3% during 2017-18, rising to 37.7% by 2023-24. This indicates a much higher proportion of female students pursuing management education compared to the past. Recent admission figures also point to this shift; for instance, the flagship batch (2026-28) at IIM Kozhikode comprises 499 students, 329 of whom are women—representing a 66% female share.

Increased Female Participation in IITs and NITs

Technical institutions have also seen a steady rise in the number of female students. The share of women in IITs stood at 8.1% in 2017-18 and rose to 20% by 2023. At NITs, too, the figure rose from 18.4 percent to 21.8 percent. Consequently, by 2023–24, approximately one in every five students at IITs and NITs was female.

Increase in Total Student Numbers at IITs and NITs

The expansion of these institutions was not limited to numbers alone. The combined student strength at IITs and NITs rose from approximately 1.62 lakh in 2017–18 to 2.44 lakh in 2023–24. Across all programs at IIMs, the student count also increased from 9,298 to 18,243. In 2014, there were 16 IITs and 13 IIMs in the country; today, there are 23 IITs and 22 IIMs. Additionally, there are 31 NITs nationwide.

Rise in Placements

Alongside the growth in student numbers, there has been a significant increase in the number of students securing placements. Between 2015–16 and 2023–24, the number of placements at IIMs rose from 7,552 to 13,693. During this period, placements at IITs increased from 9,474 to 17,467, and at NITs from 18,492 to 28,468. According to SBI Research, the average placement rate across these three types of institutions stood at approximately 93 percent. However, not all students immediately enter the workforce; the number of students from IITs and NITs opting for higher education and research during 2023–24 also reached record levels.

Significant Shift in Salaries

Along with placements, a substantial increase was recorded in the median salaries of students graduating from these institutions. At IIMs, the median salary rose from ₹28.5 lakh in 2015-16 to ₹43.6 lakh in 2023-24. At IITs, it increased from ₹17.6 lakh to ₹36.1 lakh, while at NITs, it went up from ₹10.5 lakh to ₹20.7 lakh. In other words, the median salary more than doubled at IITs and nearly doubled at NITs.