Balancing Dreams and Reality: The Deferred Placement Perspective

With IIT-D's backing, you have the opportunity to chase your startup dream, knowing that even in the face of setbacks, a return to the corporate world remains an option.

No More What If? Take that entrepreneurship leap right now.

Many of you might be wondering what this newsletter is all about. Some of you might be listening to the word “Deferred placements” for the first time in your IIT D life. Some who might have listened might not know what it is actually about, and the left ones may not know how to avail the benefits of deferred placements. So here we are to introduce you to the What, How, and When of “Deferred placements.”

The program allows students to postpone their final-year placements to focus on their entrepreneurial ventures. If their startup doesn't succeed within the following two years, they retain the option to return and participate in the placement process through the Training and Placement Cell at IITD. This initiative aims to reduce the perceived risk of failure and encourages students to pursue entrepreneurship with added confidence.

It was decided that the deferred placement policy be implemented from the academic year 2015-2016 on a trial basis. Due to the successful implementation of the policy last year and the support it received, the policy is being institutionalized from this year onwards.

Proposed structure:

• Students who are interested in pursuing a startup venture will apply for the deferred placement in the second semester of their pre-final year, i.e. a semester before their placement semester.

• Their start-up proposal will be critically analyzed by a selection panel of experts from within and outside IIT Delhi, which will decide whom to allot the program.

• There would be no upper cap on the number of students who would be allowed for deferred placement.

The student's progress would be monitored by a selection panel or a sub-committee formed by the selection panel. If the students opting for an entrepreneurship venture cannot (or are likely to) succeed within 2 years despite strong efforts, they will be permitted to participate in the placement process.

• Any pre-final B. Tech, Dual degree, or M. Tech student can apply, provided his degree is not extended. Obviously, preference would be given to students who have been involved in entrepreneurial activity before application.

• The student's degree on allotment of the program must finish within one year.

Along with this, did you know IIT Delhi has a provision for a semester break for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Yes, Students can opt-in for a semester break to pursue their startup under the guidance of faculty mentors and also earn 5 DPE units for the same.

DPE units, which stand for Design/Practical Experience units, are a mandatory NGU (Non-Graded Unit) requirement for Graduation. Students have to earn a minimum of 3 DPE units and can earn up to 5 DPE units out of a total of 11 NGU required for completion of their degrees.

Students who wish to pursue their startup taking a semester break must work under the guidance of a faculty mentor from the institute. They need to plan and submit a project proposal with consultation from their faculty mentor.

Starting a startup activity is only allowed after the Departmental Committee for DPE approves. The Departmental DPE Committee will evaluate the startup project and award DPE units at the end of the startup period.

If the startup project is in an area that is not within the expertise of the student's parent department, the DPE Committee may involve faculty members from other departments, centers, or schools to assess and supervise the project.

If a student earns DPE units through a startup, that semester will be a registered semester for graduation requirements. However, if the DPE committee does not approve the award of 5 units for the startup activity, that semester will not be considered a registered semester.

Steps to apply:

1)Student has to raise request online for prior permission with Prior approval

of Institute DPE Committee on recommendation from DPE committee of Student’s Department

2) Completion of approval request by student forwarded through faculty mentor

3) Evaluation and Moderation by the DPE committee of the Department / Institute

Did you guys know about the concept of Deferred placements and breaks beforehand, or did you come to know it through us? After knowing all this, you must be wondering, do students opt for the deferred placement or semester break? How do they manage to convince their parents, and what difficulties do they face in making that decision?

Yes, they do, and we present to you all some snippets of talks that the editorial team of eDC had with students who are opting for deferred placements this year.

1.) Dnyaneshwar Prashant More

Our Core Team Member of eDC, Dnyaneshwar, is a dedicated 4th-year B.Tech student in the electrical department. His significant role within eDC showcases his commitment and expertise, making him an integral part of our team.

He's developing an innovative AI tool that lets viewers customize their content experience on OTT platforms, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable viewing experience without compromising the overall narrative or content quality.

This year, he has applied for deferred placements and aims to take his startup to greater heights. The editorial vertical had an enlightening conversation with him where he shed light upon various aspects of forming a startup and how IITD helped him in the journey.

Q1: Why do many first-year students initially aspire to startups but ultimately choose to pursue conventional employment?

First-year enthusiasts are often influenced by the rat race of high-paying placements and the peer environment. Some who attempt startups may lack the dedication required, while others face challenges in securing parental support, which can hinder their entrepreneurial aspirations. These factors collectively contribute to the shift toward traditional job opportunities.

Q2: Why did your first startup fail?

During his second year, he and his team identified an opportunity amidst the Ukraine-Russia war—a wheat shortage in Egypt. They embarked on an idea to bridge the gap by transporting wheat from India to Egypt. While they made initial progress, they soon realized that the challenge was more complex and risky than anticipated. Moreover, additional government restrictions further impacted the business, ultimately leading to the closure of this idea.

Q3: Major difficulties in running a startup, and how do you manage them?

In the context of academics, he places his startup as the utmost priority, dedicating post-class hours to the office. Driven by ambition, he's on the quest for like-minded individuals who share his passion and persistence. The journey includes the pursuit of assembling the right team, reflecting his unwavering commitment to solving challenges and driving the venture forward. 

Q4: How do you validate your idea enough to work on it? How can the validation process be further strengthened??

Discussion and surveys serve as the initial pillars for validating an idea. They provide crucial insights into consumer sentiments. For entrepreneurs, engaging with a diverse range of individuals deepens clarity. Moreover, building an MVP with available resources not only attracts investors but also reinforces idea validation, reflecting the proactive entrepreneurial spirit at the core of the process. 

 Q5: Most successful startups were run by people 25 and above. Why did you decide to do it now?

He embodies the passion of grabbing opportunities, understanding that waiting can mean missed opportunities. He conducted thorough research, identifying a genuine problem. Fueled by a passion for innovation and action, he chose to take the initiative, realizing that many potential entrepreneurs falter by hesitating, making action the path to problem-solving.

Q6: Why would a giant company take your plugin when it can make one independently?

Larger companies often grapple with extensive, time-consuming projects, making it challenging to meet their commitments. He showed an example of Caption Max, a service that assists major companies by providing captions and introductions for films. His vision is to bridge the gap similarly, and he noted that there are OTT platforms that have shown a positive inclination toward their idea.

Q7: How were the experiences in the process of deferred placement?

He found the process tiring and had room for improvement regarding coordination between the Administration and FITT. However, he managed to navigate the process, although with some effort, successfully. Once the form-filling was complete, the presentation became a relatively straightforward task. The committee, comprising members from FITT and IITD administration, posed questions aimed at understanding the current stage of the startup and assessing the potential of the team. They also inquired about the plans for the next 2 years and the project's sustainability.

Q8: Why did you choose deferred placement over a semester break?

He discouraged the idea of taking a semester break, emphasizing that it may potentially lead to becoming a complete college dropout, making it significantly more challenging to return and complete the courses. He stressed the importance of obtaining an IIT degree as a valuable safety net, recognizing its potential to open doors if entrepreneurial endeavors don't unfold as planned.

Disclaimer: We have taken very much care in providing the correct information but we request you to go through official institute policies once before taking any further steps.

Thanks for being with us till here.

As you embark on your entrepreneurial path, remember that there's no one-size-fits-all approach. It's about discovering what resonates with your passion and skill set. So, take that first step, learn from your experiences, and don't be afraid to follow your dreams. The world of entrepreneurship is waiting for you to make your mark. Goodbye for now, and stay inspired!

Editorial Team eDC, IIT Delhi