Is Zomato's 'Rs 20 lakh, no-salary job offer' really worth it? A comparison of Goyal's '10x learning' promise with top MBA programs
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal’s job posting for a Chief of Staff role has taken the internet by storm—and for good reason. In an unconventional move, Goyal is asking candidates to invest a hefty Rs 20 lakh upfront, with the promise of “10x more learning” than what a top-tier MBA program offers. And, there’s a major catch: the position offers no salary for an entire year. Naturally, this has sparked a heated debate. Is the experience truly worth the steep price tag? Does it deliver more value, both financially and educationally, than an MBA from a prestigious business school? Let’s dive into the details and find out.
Top 3 MBA programs in India
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A)
Cost: Rs 25–27 lakhs for a 2-year program?
Benefits:?
- Average placement package of Rs 36–40 LPA?
- Prestigious alumni network and opportunities in top-tier global firms.
- Learning: Case-based pedagogy, leadership focus, and a curriculum benchmarked against global standards.
Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B)
Cost: Rs 24–26 lakhs for a 2-year program?
Benefits:
- Average placement package of Rs 35–37 LPA.
- Exposure to international exchange programs and diverse peer networks.
- Ranked consistently among the top schools for employability in India.
Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad
Cost: Rs 45–49 lakhs (inclusive of tuition, boarding, and GST) for a 1-year program?
Benefits:
- Average salary of Rs 34 LPA post-graduation.
- Curriculum tailored for experienced professionals with global exposure.
- Partnerships with global schools like Kellogg and Wharton.
Top 3 MBA programs abroad
Harvard Business School (HBS), USA
Cost: $223,000 (approx. Rs 1.8 crore), including tuition, fees, and living expenses.
Benefits:
- Median starting salary of $175,000+ (approx. Rs 1.4 crore).
- Access to an elite network of global leaders and entrepreneurs.
- Renowned for its case method teaching and global prestige.
Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), USA
Cost: $245,000 (approx. Rs 2 crore), including tuition and living expenses.
Benefits:
- Median starting salary of $180,000+ (approx. ?1.5 crore).
- Close ties with Silicon Valley for entrepreneurial and tech-related opportunities.
- Highly personalized program for leadership development.
INSEAD (France/Singapore)
Cost: �110,000–�120,000 (approx. Rs 1 crore), excluding living expenses.
Benefits:
- Median salary of �115,000 (approx. Rs 1 crore).
- One of the most diverse student bodies globally.
- Accelerated 1-year program with strong emphasis on international business.
Is Deepinder Goyal's offer really better than an MBA?
Now, let’s compare Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal’s “pay Rs 20 lakh and work unpaid for a year” offer to an MBA:
Cost: Top Indian MBAs cost Rs 25–49 lakh; global ones run Rs 1.8–2 crore. Goyal’s deal? Rs 20 lakh upfront and no salary for a year. He’s calling it an "investment,” and it might as well be.
Learning: MBA programs offer structured lessons, global exposure, and peer learning. Goyal promises “10x more learning” by immersing you in his fast-paced corporate chaos. Well, does sound like a lot of hands-on learning.
ROI: Top MBAs lead to Rs 35–40 LPA in India, or Rs 1+ crore globally. Goyal promises Rs 50+ LPA starting in year two—a gamble for those who survive.
All in all, it does seem like a unique opportunity that could pay off—if you’re part of the elite few who can drop Rs 20 to spare at the drop of a hat. For the rest of us? We’ll stick to our 9-to-whenever jobs (let’s be real, it’s never just 5) and the comfort of knowing a paycheck awaits us at the end of the month. Stability > hustle? You decide.
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