Edward Nathan Varghese, a 21-year-old final-year computer science engineering student at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad), has secured the highest-ever package in the institute's history, with a staggering offer of ₹2.5 crore from global trading firm Optiver in the Netherlands. The pre-placement offer came after Edward successfully converted his two-month summer internship into a full-time role as a software engineer, set to begin in July 2026. He was the only student from IIT Hyderabad selected for the internship, outshining other candidates during the rigorous process.
Edward, who was born and raised in Hyderabad before completing his schooling in Bengaluru from classes 7 to 12, attributes his success to the IIT tag, the institute's flexible curriculum, and the strong emphasis on coding and competitive programming from the very first year. Remarkably, Optiver was the first and only company he interviewed with during the placement season, highlighting his exceptional preparation and focus. His academic journey includes an All India Rank (AIR) of 1100 in JEE Main and 558 in JEE Advanced in 2022, along with a 99.96 percentile in CAT 2025, securing a rank of 120.
On campus, Edward has been actively involved in leadership roles. He served as the Overall Head of the Office of Career Services at IIT Hyderabad, leading a team of eight student managers and 250 coordinators to drive placements and internships. Prior to that, he worked as an internship cell coordinator for nearly eleven months. His LinkedIn profile reflects a deep interest in algorithms, competitive programming, finance, and management, areas he is eager to explore further in his career.
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Both of Edward's parents are engineers, and they have expressed immense pride and happiness at their son's remarkable achievement. This record-breaking offer significantly surpasses previous highs at IIT Hyderabad: ₹1.1 crore in 2017, ₹90 lakh in 2023-24, and ₹66 lakh in 2024-25. The ₹2.5 crore package underscores the growing global demand for top Indian engineering talent, particularly in high-frequency trading, quantitative finance, and software development roles at leading international firms.
Edward's success serves as an inspiration for students across IITs and engineering colleges in India, demonstrating that consistent effort, strategic focus, and active campus involvement can lead to extraordinary career opportunities. As IIT Hyderabad continues to strengthen its placement record and global reputation, this milestone marks a proud moment for the institute and the entire Indian technical education ecosystem.
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