An IIT Delhi student has sparked a conversation online after reportedly choosing a Rs 20 lakh per annum pre-placement offer (PPO) despite having the potential to pursue higher-paying opportunities through campus placements.
The student’s decision has drawn attention because it goes against the conventional placement mindset at top engineering institutes, where many students aim to secure the highest possible salary package.
Instead, he reportedly sees the job as part of a larger plan: earn, save and eventually leave the corporate sector to prepare full-time for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
The post has sparked a wider conversation about career priorities, financial planning and the evolving definition of success among young professionals.
IIT DELHI STUDENT CHOOSES A DIFFERENT PATH
The discussion emerged after X user Srajan recounted a conversation with a friend from IIT Delhi who had landed an internship at a major multinational company and was expected to receive a PPO worth around Rs 20 lakh annually.
Curious about his future plans, Srajan asked whether his friend intended to accept the offer or continue participating in placements to target a larger package.
The answer was unexpected.
Rather than entering the race for the highest-paying jobs, the student reportedly decided that the PPO aligned better with his long-term objectives.
PLAN: WORK FOR THREE YEARS, THEN PREPARE FOR UPSC
According to Srajan, his friend believes the role would offer a manageable workload, allowing him to balance work with UPSC preparation.
Sharing the conversation on X, Srajan wrote that his friend had already begun preparing for the civil services exam and wanted a job that would give him enough time to continue those efforts.
The student’s reported strategy is straightforward: spend a few years in the corporate world, accumulate savings and then step away from the job to focus entirely on UPSC preparation.
“The plan is to work for 3 years, save enough money, and then leave completely,” Srajan quoted his friend as saying.
For many aspiring civil servants, financial security can reduce the pressure associated with taking a career break for exam preparation. The IIT Delhi student’s approach appears to be built around that idea.
SOCIAL MEDIA DIVIDED OVER THE DECISION
The post quickly attracted attention online, prompting varied reactions from social media users.
Several people applauded the student’s clarity of purpose, arguing that having a well-defined long-term goal is more important than maximising salary in the short term. Others felt that turning away from the possibility of a significantly larger package could be a risky decision.
The debate also touched on a broader shift in career thinking among young professionals. While lucrative corporate jobs remain highly sought after, an increasing number of graduates are weighing factors such as personal fulfilment, flexibility and future ambitions alongside compensation.
Srajan, however, appeared confident in his friend’s decision and prospects, saying he believes the IITian will eventually succeed in the UPSC examination.
The story has resonated with many because it challenges a common assumption associated with IIT placements, that the highest salary package is always the best outcome. For this student, the priority appears to be creating a stable financial foundation before pursuing a completely different career path.