A big shift is happening among India’s top computer science graduates. Instead of aiming for jobs at global tech companies, many are now setting their sights on the fast-paced world of high-frequency trading (HFT) on Dalal Street, according to the experts. “These trading firms, which make lightning-fast stock market decisions using advanced tech, are offering huge salaries up to Rs 4 crore a year to graduates,” Anmol Singhal, who joined the global trading firm IMC Trading in 2023, said.
In December 2024, a student from IIT Madras received a job offer from Jane Street, a global trading firm, with a total package of over Rs 4.3 crore. This included base salary, bonuses, and relocation benefits, specifically for an international role (in Hong Kong), according to a report by TOI.
What’s the appeal?
It’s all about pure tech and speed. In HFT, engineers write super-fast code, use custom-made chips (FPGAs) and set up wireless links that beat even the earth’s curve, all to gain a time advantage measured in microseconds.
“Every microsecond saved can mean crores of rupees. It’s more like Formula 1 racing than working in a regular tech company. Your code goes live immediately, and you see results in real time,” Singhal said.
The number of demat accounts in India has grown dramatically in recent years, reflecting growing interest in stock trading among regular Indians. The count has surpassed 17 crore (170 million) as of August 2024, according to official data.
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has also crossed the milestone of 10 crore unique investors by mid-2024, according to a report by Angel one.
Traditional tech startups
Increasing job cuts in Silicon Valley and tougher visa regulations, making entry into traditional tech startups more difficult. HFT firms offer very competitive salaries, often accompanied by performance-based bonuses.
Singhal’s own path mirrors this shift. A stint at Goldman Sachs was followed by the pandemic pause, which nudged him toward a master’s degree at New York University. There he studied under former hedge fund managers and bank quants who demystified the black box. The program’s focus on first principles thinking proved decisive. “The ability to dive deep into an unfamiliar topic, master it, and still keep sight of the north star is what separates the great from the average,” he says.