After blacklisting start-ups, IITs turn to core sector firms, PSUs for placements

31 start-ups were recent blacklisted by IITs due to reasons such as revoking of offers and deferred joining dates

After blacklisting around 31 companies, mostly start-ups, IITs are now not only scrutinising other start-ups more carefully, but are also encouraging students to go for core sector companies and PSUs this placement season.

Come September, IITs are set to focus more on core sectors and PSUs as they begin inviting recruiters for pre-placement talks (PPTs).

"We are hopeful that PSUs will come a bit early this year. It will be a win-win situation for anybody. This time we are requesting them to come a bit early. PSUs hire in a good number usually and it is almost a dream job for students," said K Mohanty, placement chairperson at IIT Guwahati.

Other IITs too are set to follow suit as they look to tap the core manufacturing sector along with PSUs. The move is a result of the recent blacklisting of 31 firms by IITs due to varied reasons such as revoking of offers and deferred joining dates, among others.

Recently, IITs blacklisted firms including the likes of Peppertap, Portea Medical, Hopscotch, Grofers, Stayzilla, Roadrunnr, Zomato, Nowfloats, ConsultLane, Zimply, Babajobs, PSK, SmartTrak Solar Systems Pvt Ltd., Crayon Data India Pvt Ltd, Glow Homes Technologies Pvt Ltd, Tescra Software Pvt Ltd (Rockon), Tenova India Pvt Ltd, Verity Knowledge Solutions, Excellence Tech, LexInnova Technologies, LeGarde Burnett Group, Johnson Electric (Japan), Mera Hunar, Fundamental Education, CashCare Technology, Holamed, Indus Insights, Clicklabs, Grabhouse and Medd from participating in the placements for a year.

"The message that we are trying to bring home is that only those start-ups which are serious about recruiting should come to IIT campuses. The message that we are sending through blacklisting should be a sufficient deterrent. Moreover, companies where feedback is not good from the alumni with whom the students are in touch, automatically get moved further down in day slotting," said V Babu, Advisor for Training & Placements at IIT Madras had told Business Standard earlier.

Hiring through PSUs at IITs has also been boosted post the Madras High Court ruling in favour of PSUs last year allowing them to pick students from campuses, Moreover, among students, except for computer science, the other streams are witnessing a growing inkling towards PSUs, especially in oil and gas and heavy machinery sectors.

However, to further ensure employability of students, IITs are encouraging students to positively accept more number of pre-placement offers (PPOs) and not wait till final placement season. "Market situation is not so good. Things may improve going ahead. However, we have also asked students to take up PPOs unless it is a very low salary job.," confirmed Mohanty.

Meanwhile, IITs are set to meet again in October or November closer to the final placement process that begins in December 1. According to placement officials, the meeting is likely to see further steps being taken in ensuring placements for students.