IIMs are increasingly counting on students opting out of the placement process to maintain their 100 per cent placement facade.

The playbook is simple, really. If too many students remain unplaced by the end of the cycle, send them an email suggesting they opt out. Or, like IIM Amritsar, just inform students that if they’re not placed, they will be considered as having “opted out”.

Of course, it’s all just to keep up appearances. When 40 out of 45 students get placed, and 5 opt out, the 100% placement claim becomes a technical truth.

Turns out, that’s the unfortunate byproduct of a tough and constant competition to get the best talent.

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