Recruiters return to IIMs as hiring sentiment improves

SUMMER PLACEMENTS SHOW SIGNS OF REVIVAL

- MANU KAUSHIK

AFTER TWO MUTED years, summer placements at the country’s premier Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are showing clear signs of revival.

Early reports from IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta point toa rebound in hiring activity, with more recruiters on campus, stronger participation from consulting and finance firms, and stipends holding firm at record levels.

At IIM Calcutta, the number of recruiters rose to 183 in 2025 from 175 last year. While the average monthly stipend this year stood at ₹1.85 lakh — nearly unchanged from 2024 — it remained significantly higher than ₹1.65 lakh in 2023 and $1.59 lakh in 2022, reflecting steady upward movement over time.

The trend was even more pronounced at IIM Bangalore, where consulting firms led the revival. In 2025, summer placements for the PGP and PGP-BA 2025-27 batches saw 282 consulting offers, compared with 230 last year.