How to read IIT placement numbers without getting misled
Headline crore-plus offers grab attention, but median and branch-wise figures tell you far more about what a typical student earns.
Placement headlines tend to lead with the single highest CTC, but that number reflects one exceptional international offer rather than what a typical graduate earns.
The median package is usually a better guide to the 'middle' student's outcome, and it often sits well below the average because a few very large offers pull the mean upward.
Branch-wise averages matter too: computer-science and electronics figures can be two to three times those of core branches at the same institute.
Finally, watch how data is reported — figures are often released in phases, and domestic and international packages are not directly comparable.
Source: IIT Package editorial ↗