Zomato CEO says candidates will not have to pay Rs 20 lakh fee: Story in 10 points

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal has announced that the much-discussed requirement of paying Rs 20 lakh for the Chief of Staff position is no longer part of the plan. Goyal clarified this in a new statement following widespread attention and debate over the job opening, which initially came with a unique proposition: no salary for the first year and a Rs 20 lakh fee for the selected candidate. Here is the full story in 10 points.
-Goyal revealed that the Chief of Staff role has received over 18,000 applications and highlighted that the fee was never intended to be enforced. “We are not going to ask anyone for Rs 20 lakh,” Goyal said. He added that the initial mention of the fee was merely a filter to find candidates who valued the learning opportunity rather than being bogged down by financial constraints.
-Zomato’s CEO also made it clear that the company would prioritise genuine intent and a learning mindset over financial capability. “We are going to reject most of the applications from those who talked about money,” Goyal said, highlighting that Zomato is looking for individuals who are hungry to learn and grow, rather than those focusing on short-term financial rewards.
-The job listing for Zomato’s Chief of Staff position gained attention for its unconventional terms. Initially, the role came with no salary for the first year, and candidates were asked to donate Rs 20 lakh directly to Feeding India, Zomato’s non-profit initiative. This sparked debate, with some calling it a brilliant strategy to filter out those who are purely motivated by money, while others criticised it as being exclusive to those with financial privilege.
-The Chief of Staff role is based in Zomato’s headquarters in Gurugram and is designed for someone who is down-to-earth, empathetic, and hungry to learn, according to Goyal’s original post. He highlighted that the ideal candidate would have minimal experience but strong communication skills and a willingness to do what is right, even if it meant displeasing others.
-The role involves working closely with Goyal and contributing to the future of Zomato’s ecosystem, including Blinkit, Hyperpure, and Feeding India.
-While the initial offer indicated no salary for the first year, Goyal mentioned that Zomato would contribute Rs 50 lakh to a charity of the candidate’s choice — equivalent to a Chief of Staff’s salary. From the second year onward, the candidate would receive a competitive salary of more than Rs 50 lakh annually.
-Applicants were asked to submit a 200-word cover letter directly to Goyal, with no resumes required. The process was meant to focus on the candidate’s potential and intent, rather than past achievements or qualifications.
-The announcement has garnered mixed reactions. Some view it as a unique opportunity to work directly with one of India’s leading entrepreneurs, providing hands-on experience in the consumer tech industry. Others, however, raised concerns about the initial Rs 20 lakh fee, which they felt made the opportunity inaccessible to many.
-In his latest statement, Goyal reiterated that the role is not about resume building or financial perks but rather about fast-tracking one’s learning and development. He compared the opportunity to an intensive real-world management course, offering significant personal and professional growth.