The 2010 MBA placements are showing some signs of recovery. There’s an average 25% increase in average domestic salaries across top B-schools. The 2009 MBA placements had been terrible for almost all B-schools mainly because of the recession. The 2010 MBA placements are marked by a major shuffle in the sector wise preferences. In 2009, most of the MBA graduates opted for PSUs but in 2010, it showed a major decline in this unit. The major recruiters in 2010 turn out to be from Banking and Finance as most MBA graduates opted for it. All together, 2010 saw consulting firms hiring on an increased rate as compared to that of 2009. We at siliconindia.com have carefully consolidated the crucial facts and figures from the placement press releases as issued by the top B-schools, and drawn out following major trends this year:

A crystal clear upturn in average domestic salary: 2010 comes as a whiff of fresh air to all those concerned about the credit crunch in the Indian market last year. This year’s placements have witnessed a significant rise (20 per cent approx.) in the salary offered. The average salary figures, which, although do not compare to the 2008 standard, are significantly higher than true figures of 2009.

Finance and Banking bounce back as the major recruiters: Finance and banking sector is in vogue again. In spite of this year’s lower statistics hinting at a slower revival rate, this sector continues to rule by absorbing the majority across the top B schools.

Global blue chip firms pitch in profusely: With the resurgence of global economy, came innumerable offers from international companies like Mckinsey & Co The Boston Consulting Group, Monitor Group, Bain and Company, Booz and Company, AT Kearney and Oliver Wyman, and many more global firms showed faith in Indian brains and flooded them with international stints. This further strengthened the emerging perception of a fast paced economic recovery.

PSUs preferences take a nose-dive, Consulting firms surface up: PSUs had witnessed a robust crowd of students at its doorsteps last year but this year the interest in this sector seems to have taken a plunge whereas consulting firms were back with a vengeance this season. Firms like Mckinsey & Co., Accenture Business Consulting, KPMG, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bristlecone, Hewitt, Cognizant Business Consulting, Droege, Gallup Consulting, etc. picking up a sizeable chunk.

Job profiles given more priority over perks: A very interesting trend that seems to be emerging is that of giving more preference to better and befitting profiles. “Profiles offered clearly took precedence over salaries and incentives,”

More Pre Placement offers and Lateral Placement offers this time: In what came to be deemed as an impressive prelude to this year’s final fulfilling placements, students were offered increased offers of pre placement offers and lateral placement offers.

Overall, the placements 2010 come as a breather for all that suffocation that had settled in last year, still the signs are yet not as good as 2008. This year, with the industry bouncing back, students of business schools have fresh smiles on their faces…placements are coming back to life.