In a remarkable achievement that has set a new benchmark in campus placements, Edward Nathan Varghese, a 21-year-old final-year Computer Science and Engineering student at IIT Hyderabad (IITH), has secured a staggering ₹2.5 crore annual package. This is the highest-ever placement offer in the institute’s history since its establishment in 2008.
The record-breaking offer has been made by Optiver, a leading global trading firm headquartered in the Netherlands, marking a proud moment for IIT Hyderabad and India’s premier technical education ecosystem.
Record-Breaking Placement at IIT Hyderabad
Edward’s ₹2.5 crore package surpasses all previous placement records at IIT Hyderabad. Until now, the highest offer stood at ₹1.1 crore in 2017. In recent years, the top packages were ₹90 lakh in 2023–24 and ₹66 lakh in 2024–25, making Edward’s achievement truly historic.
He will join Optiver as a Software Engineer in July, following a highly competitive selection process.
Internship to Pre-Placement Offer: The Turning Point
Edward secured the role after successfully converting his two-month summer internship at Optiver into a pre-placement offer (PPO). During the internship, he outperformed another shortlisted student, ultimately emerging as the sole candidate to receive the offer.
Interestingly, Edward revealed that Optiver was the first and only company he interviewed for during the placement season—an uncommon feat in today’s highly competitive campus recruitment environment.
Strong Academic Foundation and Early Coding Focus
Born and raised in Hyderabad, Edward later completed his schooling in Bengaluru (Classes 7–12). His academic excellence has been consistent over the years:
- AIR 1100 in JEE Main
- AIR 558 in JEE Advanced (2022)
- 99.96 percentile in CAT 2025, with an all-India rank of 120
Edward credits his success to the IIT tag, a flexible academic curriculum, and an early emphasis on coding and competitive programming, which he has pursued seriously since his first year of engineering.
Leadership Roles at IIT Hyderabad
Beyond academics, Edward has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. According to his LinkedIn profile, he served as the Overall Head of the Office of Career Services (OCS) at IIT Hyderabad. In this role, he led:
- A core team of 8 student managers
- Over 250 student coordinators
- Multiple placement and internship cells across the institute
Before this, he worked as an Internship Cell Coordinator for nearly 11 months, gaining hands-on experience in campus recruitment operations.
Interests Beyond Engineering
Edward’s interests extend well beyond software development. He describes himself as passionate about:
“Algorithms, competitive programming, finance, and management. I’m eager to explore these domains and connect with like-minded individuals.”
This multidisciplinary curiosity played a key role in his selection by a global trading firm like Optiver, where technology and finance intersect.
A Proud Moment for the Family
Edward comes from a family of engineers, and both his parents have expressed immense pride and happiness over his achievement. His success stands as a testament to consistent effort, clarity of goals, and disciplined preparation.
A New Benchmark for IIT Hyderabad Placements
Edward Nathan Varghese’s ₹2.5 crore placement not only marks a personal milestone but also reflects the rising global reputation of IIT Hyderabad. His journey serves as an inspiration for engineering aspirants across the country, proving that focused skills, early preparation, and the right opportunities can truly lead to extraordinary outcomes.
