India’s defense and aerospace sectors are intensifying recruitment from IIT campuses, challenging Big Tech and high-frequency trading firms for top engineering talent amid a push for self-reliance. Campus placements kicked off on December 1, 2025, with private players like Larsen & Toubro (L&T) targeting 175 specialized hires in R&D and advanced engineering, while Skyroot Aerospace selected 65 engineers from 3,500 applicants for rocket development ahead of its first commercial launch by March 2026. Other firms, including Nabhdrishti Aerospace, LAT Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, and Tata Advanced Systems, seek expertise in avionics, AI, systems engineering, and manufacturing, fueled by privatization and billion-dollar contracts. From an Indian strategic viewpoint, this talent shift bolsters indigenization in drones, satellites, and munitions, countering geopolitical threats from China and Pakistan by reducing import dependence and fostering homegrown innovation in critical security domains.