In November 2024, Zomato’s founder Deepinder Goyal posted on X about a Chief of Staff job. The unusual condition made it go viral: the person would not draw a salary in the first year and would be asked to contribute ₹20 lakh to Zomato’s charity arm, Feeding India. This article explains what was offered, how it was received, what Goyal said later, and what job seekers can take away.
The short version
- The offer (Nov 2024): no salary for the first year and a ₹20 lakh contribution to Feeding India. Zomato said it would also give ₹50 lakh to a charity of the candidate’s choice.
- The response: thousands of applicants within days. Goyal later said the total went above 18,000.
- The clarification: Goyal said the ₹20 lakh was a “filter”, not money Zomato planned to collect, and that the selected people would be paid.
- The outcome (Feb 2025): he said about 150 candidates were met, 30 received offer letters and 18 had joined.
What did the post actually say?
Goyal described the Chief of Staff role as a chance to work very closely with him on projects across the company, including Blinkit, Feeding India and Hyperpure. He grouped applicants into four types: people who could easily afford ₹20 lakh, people who could partly arrange it, people who were keen but did not have the money, and people who truly could not afford it. The deadline was announced at 6 pm IST on the day the post got attention, and early reports counted more than 10,000 applications.
Why people were divided
Critics said asking for money creates a barrier. In their view, talented people without savings or family support would be left out, and employers should pay for work, not charge for it.
Supporters said the huge number of applications showed how much people value learning from a top founder. Some also felt the fee was a smart way to see who was serious.
What Goyal said afterwards
Goyal later clarified that the ₹20 lakh condition was only a filter, that Zomato had no plan to take the money, and that people who mentioned money in their applications would be rejected. In February 2025, he said over 18,000 people had applied, about 150 were interviewed, and 30 “exceptional people” got offer letters, of whom 18 had joined. Four were working directly with him and two were in Chief of Staff roles. He added that nobody paid anything and that the joiners were “handsomely compensated”. Goyal later moved from CEO to a board role: in January 2026, he stepped down as Eternal’s group CEO (Eternal is the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit), and Blinkit’s Albinder Dhindsa took over from 1 February 2026.
What job seekers can learn
- Read the fine print. A viral post is not a contract. Ask what is paid, when, and in writing.
- Never pay to get a job. In general, genuine employers do not ask candidates for money. Treat any such request as a warning sign unless it is clearly explained and legal.
- Show your thinking. The post asked for cover letters. Short, honest letters that show what you can do stand out in a pile of thousands.
- Notice unusual roles. A “chief of staff” is a trusted assistant to a leader. It can teach you a lot, but it is also a role with long hours.
Why this story still matters
It started a wider conversation in India about internships, unpaid trial work and who gets chances at top companies. The same debate keeps coming back whenever a famous founder tries something unconventional.
Questions to think about
- Is it ever fair to ask applicants to pay, even if the money goes to charity?
- Do viral hiring posts help companies find good people, or mainly attention?
- What would make a hiring process open to talented people from every background?
Related reading
- Startup funding this week: Indian startups raise $123 million
- Shark Tank India Season 5: the big deals and valuations
- 7 money moves that beat inflation in 2026
Sources
- Business Today: Goyal says nobody paid anything to Zomato
- People Matters: Chief of Staff hiring attracts 30 outstanding candidates
- Inc42: Deepinder Goyal steps down as Eternal group CEO
This article reports public statements and news coverage. It is not career or legal advice.
