No degree, Rs 5 lakh a month: 22-year-old AI founder says IIT tag isn't everything

A BTech dropout has challenged the belief that an IIT degree is the only route to a high-paying career. In a post on X, the professional shared why leaving engineering turned out to be one of the best decisions of his life.

In Short

• Lavanya Jain said he left BTech in his final semester
• He called quitting engineering one of the best decisions of life
• He claimed his part-time contractor income exceeds his college's top package

For years, cracking IIT has been seen as the ultimate goal for engineering aspirants in India. But a recent post on X is challenging that idea, arguing that while an IIT degree may open doors, it is far from the only path to career success.

Lavanya Jain, posting on X, shared his own journey from dropping out of a Btech programme to earning what he claims is more than his college's highest placement package, all while working part-time as a contractor.

As per the post he shared on X, he earns 4.86 lakhs monthly.

The post has reignited conversations around whether skills and experience are becoming more valuable than college brands in today's job market.

DIDN'T GO TO ANY IIT, DROPPED OUT OF COLLEGE MIDWAY

"I’m not even from an IIT," Lavanya wrote, before adding another surprising detail: "In fact, I dropped out from my BTech, majoring in Electronics and Communications Engineering in my final semester."

He described leaving college as "one of the best decisions of my life."

According to the post, he now earns more than his college's highest placement package of USD 100,000 a year, despite working part-time as a contractor. He also claimed to have five sources of passive income, while his primary income is enough to comfortably fund his lifestyle.

To support his claim, Lavanya shared screenshots showing two large bank credits received through Wise Payments. The transactions reflected deposits of Rs 3.74 lakh and Rs 1.12 lakh, adding up to nearly Rs 4.86 lakh.

'THIS IS NOT A FLEX'

Lavanya insisted that the post was not meant to boast about his earnings.

"This is not a flex, really it's not," he wrote. Instead, he said he wanted to remind people that "IIT is just a tag."

While acknowledging the value of an IIT education, he argued that the institute's biggest advantage is often its alumni network and visibility rather than being the sole determinant of success.

"Sure it will give you that alumni network and a couple of eyeballs," he wrote.

SKILLS OVER COLLEGE BRANDS?

The post ended with a line that drew the most attention.

"What’s the use when you got a couple of IITians working under you lol," Lavanya remarked, suggesting that professional growth ultimately depends more on skills and execution than educational pedigree.

His experience reflects a wider shift in the technology sector, where remote work, freelancing, global contracting and creator-led careers have created opportunities beyond traditional campus placements.

While premier institutes continue to offer strong career advantages, stories like Lavanya's have added to the discussion around whether practical skills, portfolios and continuous learning are beginning to outweigh college labels for many professionals.

(Disclaimer: This story is based on a social media post. The details, including figures, background, and outcomes, have not been independently verified by India Today. The article is intended for informational purposes only, and readers are advised to exercise their own discretion before drawing conclusions or making decisions based on the content.)

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