Despite hiring headwinds, campuses stay optimistic
IT firms and FMCG players are cautious hirers this year, but other sectors are filling the gap
Placement figures are pouring in from B-schools and engineering colleges across the country. Based on who you talk to, you will hear a different story. For instance, Mumbai’s SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), which concluded placements for its 2023-25 batch in January says it has achieved 100 per cent placements for its largest-ever batch of 336 participants.
IIM Ahmedabad, which completed its final placement process for the MBA Class of 2025 recently, said firms from multiple domains participated across the three clusters of placements, and all students across 30 cohorts were placed. Prof. Viswanath Pingali, Chairperson of the Placement Committee at IIMA, said, “Amidst the current volatile state of the geopolitical environment, we expected strong headwinds for this year’s placement season. However, corporates showed faith in IIMA as usual.”
Not so cheerful is the tidings from ICFAI Business School in Hyderabad. “Placements as on date are the same number as last year in general. Most companies are on a wait-and-watch mode. Although there has not been any reduction in recruitments from companies, the selection process has become very stringent. We hope to complete placements by the end of April,’‘ said a senior functionary of the institute.
S Pasupathi, COO, HirePro, an AI recruitment automation firm, says, “This year’s placement season has been marked by a cautious approach from IT services firms, with hiring slowing down due to a wait-and-watch strategy. However, with IT services expected to remain strong for the next seven-eight months, we anticipate positive hiring trends for FY26-27.