In a shift that challenges long-held hiring traditions, global tech companies such as Apple, Nvidia, and Zoho are increasingly turning to graduates from India’s lesser-known colleges. A new survey by Blind, an anonymous professional network, reveals that nearly one-third of employees at these firms come from Tier-3 institutions—colleges outside the IITs, IIMs, and other elite schools.
The survey, conducted between 17 and 24 September, 2025, gathered responses from 1,602 Indian professionals working across major technology and financial firms. It explored how the reputation of a graduate’s college affects career progress in the tech industry. Based on India’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, colleges were divided into four categories—Tier 1 (IITs, IIMs, IISc, BITS Pilani), Tier 2 (NITs, DTU, Jadavpur University), Tier 3 (state and private universities), and Tier 4 (overseas institutions).
The results reveal a widening opportunity base in tech hiring. While traditional financial companies such as Goldman Sachs or Visa still value prestigious college names, technology-driven firms are focusing more on skills and adaptability. At Zoho, Apple, and Nvidia, 34 per cent of employees hail from Tier-3 institutions—indicating that technical expertise and problem-solving skills often outweigh brand-name degrees.
Interestingly, the study found that most Tier-1 and Tier-2 alumni credited campus placements for their career start. In contrast, nearly 60 per cent of Tier-3 graduates said their college name mattered little in the long run. Salary advantages were also minimal, with only 15 per cent of Tier-3 alumni reporting significant benefits from their educational background.
As AI continues to reshape the global job landscape, the findings underscore a growing trend—top employers are rethinking the definition of talent. The future of hiring appears to belong not to where one studied, but to what one can do.
