When students ask which IIT has the highest package, they’re not just curious about numbers-they’re trying to figure out where their hard work in IIT JEE prep might lead. The answer isn’t simple. It’s not just about one IIT outperforming the rest every year. It’s about which institute aligns with your branch, your skills, and the industry trends shaping up right now.

Where the Highest Packages Actually Come From

The highest package in any IIT doesn’t come from a single company offering a random windfall. It’s almost always tied to a specific department-usually Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), or sometimes Electrical Engineering with a focus on AI and robotics. In 2024, IIT Bombay reported a highest domestic package of ₹2.15 crore per annum, while IIT Delhi recorded ₹2.08 crore. Both went to CSE students joining global tech firms like Microsoft, Google, and Adobe.

But here’s the catch: these are outliers. The average package across all branches at IIT Bombay was around ₹22.5 lakh in 2024. That’s still excellent, but it’s not the same as the headline number. The same pattern holds at IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur. The top 1-2% of students get the eye-popping offers. The rest get strong, stable salaries-often above ₹15 lakh-even if they’re not in CSE.

Why IIT Bombay Leads (Most Years)

IIT Bombay consistently tops the charts for highest packages, and there are real reasons why. First, it’s located in Mumbai-the financial and corporate hub of India. That means easier access to global firms, hedge funds, quant research houses, and startups with deep pockets. Second, its CSE department has built strong ties with international tech giants over the last 15 years. Companies don’t just recruit there; they design special tracks for IIT Bombay students.

For example, in 2023, a student from IIT Bombay’s CSE branch received a ₹2.4 crore offer from a U.S.-based AI startup. The role required expertise in large language models and distributed systems-skills taught in advanced electives at IIT Bombay, but rarely covered in depth at other IITs. That’s not luck. It’s curriculum design, faculty research, and industry collaboration.

What About Other IITs?

IIT Delhi and IIT Madras are close behind. IIT Delhi’s strength lies in its connections with semiconductor and hardware firms. In 2024, a student received ₹1.95 crore from a company developing next-gen AI chips. IIT Madras had the highest number of international offers-over 120 students got roles in the U.S., Germany, and Singapore-with packages often exceeding ₹1.8 crore.

IIT Kharagpur and IIT Roorkee have seen steady growth, especially in core engineering roles. But their highest packages usually cap out around ₹1.5 crore, mostly in energy, automation, and infrastructure tech. If you’re aiming for the absolute top salary, these IITs aren’t the first choice-but they’re still among the best in India.

Branch Matters More Than IIT

Let’s be clear: your branch determines your earning ceiling more than your IIT. A CSE graduate from IIT Roorkee will likely earn more than a Mechanical Engineering graduate from IIT Bombay. In 2024, the highest package for a Mechanical student at IIT Bombay was ₹1.1 crore-to a robotics startup. Meanwhile, a CSE student from IIT Roorkee got ₹1.7 crore from a fintech firm in Singapore.

If you’re targeting the top 1% of salaries, you need to be in CSE, ECE, or Mathematics and Computing. Other branches-Civil, Chemical, Metallurgy-have excellent placement records, but their highest packages rarely cross ₹1 crore. That doesn’t mean they’re bad choices. It just means the path to the biggest salary is narrower.

What’s Changing in 2025?

Two big shifts are happening. First, foreign companies are no longer the only ones offering huge packages. Indian startups like Zomato, Paytm, and Byju’s (after restructuring) are now competing aggressively. In 2024, a few IIT graduates took ₹1.8 crore offers from Indian AI startups that raised Series C funding.

Second, roles are shifting. Companies aren’t just hiring for coding-they want people who can build AI systems, optimize cloud infrastructure, or design ethical algorithms. That means students who took electives in machine learning, cybersecurity, or data engineering are getting the top offers, even if they’re not from the ‘top’ IIT.

IIT Hyderabad and IIT Indore, though younger, are catching up fast. Their CSE departments have partnered with global firms like NVIDIA and Intel. In 2024, IIT Hyderabad’s CSE had the highest average package among newer IITs-₹20.3 lakh-with the top offer hitting ₹1.9 crore.

What You Should Focus On

If you’re preparing for IIT JEE and dreaming of the highest package, here’s what actually matters:

1. Choose CSE or Mathematics and Computing-no exceptions if you want the top salaries.
2. Build real projects during your first two years. Don’t just memorize algorithms. Build a full-stack app, train a model, or contribute to open-source.
3. Learn to code in Python, C++, and SQL-not just for exams, but for internships.
4. Apply for summer internships early. Companies like Google and Amazon start recruiting IIT students as early as the second year.
5. Don’t fixate on IIT rankings. Focus on which institute has the strongest industry ties in your field.

Many students think getting into IIT Bombay is the only way to a high salary. But the truth is, if you’re good enough, companies will come to you-even if you’re at IIT Guwahati or IIT Jodhpur. What matters is your skill, your portfolio, and how well you communicate your value.

Don’t Fall for the Myth

The myth that one IIT always has the highest package is dangerous. It makes students believe that if they don’t get into IIT Bombay, their future is limited. That’s false. In 2024, IIT Gandhinagar had 17 students receive offers above ₹1.5 crore-all in CSE, all from startups and foreign firms.

The real competition isn’t between IITs. It’s between you and the next student who’s coding at 2 a.m., building projects, and learning beyond the syllabus. The highest package doesn’t go to the student from the ‘best’ IIT. It goes to the student who’s ready-no matter where they study.