Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal has addressed the backlash over a controversial job posting for the role of Chief of Staff, which offered no salary for the first year. In a follow-up post on X, Goyal shared that the company had received over 10,000 applications for the position, despite the unusual condition that the selected candidate would have to donate ₹20 lakh to Zomato’s Feeding India initiative instead of receiving a salary.

Goyal provided further insight into the types of applicants, mentioning that they ranged from those with substantial wealth to others who had little to no money. He emphasized that many of the applications were “well thought through” and assured followers that the application process would close by 6 pm that day. “Stay tuned for Update 3,” he added.

The job posting, which initially caused widespread outrage, sought a Chief of Staff who was “down to earth” and had “zero entitlement.” Goyal clarified that the successful candidate would receive a salary from the second year onward, with a compensation package exceeding ₹50 LPA, contingent on performance in the first year.

Critics, however, were quick to point out the exclusivity of the role, arguing that a ₹20 lakh donation requirement effectively excluded many qualified candidates from lower-income backgrounds. Some likened it to an “unpaid internship,” accusing Goyal of favoring wealthy candidates and setting a troubling precedent for startups in India. One user expressed concern that this practice would filter out people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, calling it a move that catered primarily to the affluent.