Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
An 84% score at Delhi University. A place on the Dean’s List. Three years of academic excellence. Yet when it came to campus placements, none of it seemed to matter.
A History (Honours) graduate from the university was allegedly told by her college placement cell that there were no companies recruiting humanities students.
The incident has reignited debate over whether India’s placement ecosystem continues to favour engineering and technical courses while leaving humanities graduates to navigate the job market on their own.
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A BRILLIANT ACADEMIC RECORD, BUT NO CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES
The incident was brought to light by entrepreneur and The Highy Table co-founder Harshit Khare in a LinkedIn post. Sharing the experience of his friend, Khare said she graduated from Delhi University with 84% marks in History (Honours) and was included in the Dean’s List.
Describing her abilities, he wrote that she could hold detailed discussions on colonial economics and possessed exceptional writing skills. However, despite her strong academic credentials, she reportedly found no support when she approached the college placement cell.
‘WE DON’T HAVE COMPANIES FOR HUMANITIES’
According to Khare, the placement cell offered a brief but disappointing response.
“Sorry, we don’t have companies coming in for humanities students.”
There were reportedly no alternative opportunities, career guidance or follow-up assistance. For the graduate, that single statement marked the beginning of a difficult job hunt.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER GRADUATION?
Over the next eight months, the History graduate reportedly sent cold emails, appeared for multiple interviews and repeatedly encountered employers who considered her “not qualified” because of her academic background.
The prolonged search eventually led her to secure a content-writing role at a small startup with a monthly salary of ?12,000.
Khare argued that the outcome reflected systemic shortcomings rather than a lack of talent. According to him, the placement ecosystem had effectively written off humanities students long before they entered the job market.
IS INDIA’S PLACEMENT SYSTEM FAILING HUMANITIES STUDENTS?
Using his friend’s experience as an example, Khare questioned why employers frequently demand soft skills, critical thinking, communication and analytical abilities, yet campus recruitment drives rarely target students who spend years developing exactly those competencies.
He argued that while engineering students benefit from structured campus placements, humanities graduates are often expected to find opportunities independently, with little institutional support.
Khare also encouraged employers to share positive experiences of hiring humanities graduates and urged students not to see their degree as the reason for their struggles, saying the system has yet to catch up with the value of such disciplines.
INTERNET REACTS: ‘THE SAD REALITY’
The LinkedIn post resonated with many users, who said humanities students continue to receive fewer placement opportunities than those pursuing engineering or management courses.
One user observed that humanities education broadens perspectives and promotes inclusivity but leaves graduates with limited career options after college.
Another commented that society still tends to undervalue humanities majors and hoped people would begin recognising the contribution they can make across industries.
Some also expressed concern that companies increasingly believe AI can handle work traditionally associated with humanities graduates, making employment even more challenging.
However, not everyone agreed. One user questioned whether corporate jobs should even be the primary destination for History graduates, arguing that many humanities students traditionally pursue careers in academia, research, teaching or the civil services rather than private companies.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
The debate extends beyond the experience of one Delhi University graduate. It raises a larger question about whether India’s campus placement ecosystem has evolved to recognise diverse skill sets, or whether it continues to prioritise technical degrees while leaving equally capable humanities students to compete without institutional support.
The viral story has once again highlighted the widening gap between academic achievement and employability for humanities graduates.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
