Global tech firms increasingly hire from India’s Tier-3 colleges, survey finds

New Delhi: In a shift that challenges long-standing hiring conventions, leading global technology companies — including Apple, Nvidia, and Zoho — are reportedly expanding their recruitment focus to include graduates from India’s Tier-3 colleges.
A new survey conducted by Blind, an anonymous professional network, found that nearly one-third of employees at these tech firms come from non-elite institutions, indicating a gradual but notable change in hiring priorities.
The survey, carried out between 17 and 24 September 2025, collected responses from 1,602 Indian professionals working at major technology and financial organizations. It examined how a graduate’s college reputation influences career progression in the technology sector.
Based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, the study classified educational institutions into four categories:

Tier 1: IITs, IIMs, IISc, and BITS Pilani

Tier 2: NITs, DTU, Jadavpur University

Tier 3: State and private universities

Tier 4: Overseas institutions

According to the findings, while traditional financial companies such as Goldman Sachs and Visa continue to prioritize candidates from highly ranked universities, technology-driven firms are placing greater emphasis on skills, problem-solving ability, and adaptability.
At companies such as Zoho, Apple, and Nvidia, the report noted that 34 per cent of employees are graduates of Tier-3 institutions, suggesting that technical expertise may now hold more weight than institutional prestige.
The survey also revealed differences in early career pathways. Graduates from Tier-1 and Tier-2 institutions largely credited campus placements for their entry into top firms, while about 60 per cent of Tier-3 alumni said their college background had limited influence on their professional growth. Salary disparities were minimal, with only 15 per cent of Tier-3 graduates reporting significant advantages tied to their alma mater.
As the global tech landscape continues to evolve with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the study highlights a growing trend: leading employers are redefining how they identify and evaluate talent. The findings suggest that in the future, skills and innovation may matter more than academic pedigree.

​