News

Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath has sparked a major debate online after his recent comment suggesting that 25-year-olds pursuing MBAs are “some kind of idiots.” The remark came during a YouTube AMA session held to mark Zerodha’s 15th anniversary, where Kamath appeared alongside his brother Nithin Kamath and other senior members of the company.

While discussing the changing landscape of education and entrepreneurship, Kamath said his podcast “WTF” was meant to encourage more people to think beyond traditional academic paths. “In my opinion, colleges are dead. If you are 25 and going to an MBA college today, you must be some kind of an idiot. If you ask me,” he stated. “Five years from now, this trend will be exaggerated. A lot more people will not be opting for entrepreneurship, but they’ll have to choose it as there would be fewer jobs in traditional sectors,” he added.

Also Read: ‘It’s not about profit anymore’: Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath explains why unprofitable startups get higher valuations

Kamath’s comments quickly spread across social media, with users divided over his stance on formal education. Many accused him of being dismissive of higher education and speaking from a position of privilege.

“Easy to say this when one grows up in a well-to-do family in a Tier-1 city with strong networks and connections. For others, an MBA is valuable for the institute’s tag, alumni network, and exposure,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Another user countered, “I know many who didn’t do their MBA and later regretted it. Not everyone can be an entrepreneur. Many miss out on promotions and career growth in corporates because of not having an MBA.”

Also Read: Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath falls for phishing email, netizens say 'even sharp minds slip'

However, some users sided with Kamath, arguing that the return on investment from an MBA no longer matches the time and money spent on it.

“He is right. Why waste your time, money, and energy pursuing something that won’t yield comparable returns? It’s better to invest in creative pursuits or start a business,” one user commented.

Another added nuance, saying, “Maybe what he meant is that doing an MBA without any work experience is pointless. You should work 4–5 years first to gain perspective before doing it.”

Kamath’s comment has once again reignited the debate over the relevance of MBAs in a fast-changing world driven by AI, entrepreneurship, and alternative learning platforms — a conversation that continues to divide professionals and students alike.