IIM Kashipur has landed in controversy after claims emerged that the institute allegedly asked students who are still unplaced to opt out of the official placement process. The move, reportedly aimed at maintaining a 100 per cent placement record, has sparked criticism across social media, with many questioning the ethics behind such a decision.
The allegation was brought to light by Siddharth Gopi, co-founder of the hiring platform TopHire.co, who shared a screenshot of an email from the institute on the platform X. According to him, the email directed unplaced students to fill out an “opt-out” form to ensure that IIM Kashipur’s placement statistics appear accurate.
The Email in Question
The email reportedly reads, “As we approach the closure of our current placement cycle, we want all the unplaced students to formally opt out by completing and submitting the attached opt-out form.” While it states that the institute will continue to share relevant job opportunities even after the official placement cycle ends, it makes it mandatory for students to fill the form to “maintain accurate records.”
It further adds, “If you are part of any ongoing placement process, be assured that those processes will continue as they are.”
Reactions on Social Media
Gopi’s post triggered a wave of reactions, with many users criticising the institute’s alleged strategy. One user mockingly commented, “100% placement guarantee is a guarantee, sir. Can’t be violated at any cost.” Another wrote, “In this country, when the numbers don’t work in your favour, just change the numbers. All this is the learning from the top leader.”
A more serious concern came from those questioning the credibility of placement reports in general. “All IIM placement reports are false and fabricated,” one user stated bluntly. The incident has reignited debates about how honest and transparent placement figures really are, especially when institutes promote them as key selling points.
Not the First Time
The situation is not unique to IIM Kashipur. Recently, educator Ravi Handa shared RTI data on IIM Trichy, which revealed that out of 384 students in its 2024 batch, 59 students (or 15 per cent) did not receive any placement offers. Moreover, only 104 students were offered annual packages above 20 lakh rupees, despite the higher numbers often showcased in public placement reports.
Larger Questions About Ethics and Transparency
These incidents raise uncomfortable questions about how top institutions manage their public image. While students spend significant amounts on management education, hoping to secure strong career opportunities, it seems some institutes may be more focused on maintaining polished statistics than addressing the real gaps in placement support.
For students who are already under pressure during the job search, being asked to opt out can be both demoralising and isolating. If true, this practice not only skews the public perception of an institute’s success rate but also undermines the trust students and their families place in these prestigious institutions.
What Next for IIM Kashipur?
As criticism mounts, the onus is now on IIM Kashipur to respond transparently. Will they clarify the purpose of the opt-out form and address the concerns of manipulation? Or will this story fade without accountability? Either way, this controversy has sparked an important conversation about the need for honesty and ethics in the way placement data is presented.
Until then, many are left wondering: how real is the 100 per cent placement figure that so many institutes proudly display?
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