Want a Startup Job? No Resume, No Degree & ₹40L PA!

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when applying for a high-paying job?

Most likely, you'd think of a well-crafted resume, a prestigious college degree, and maybe even a few referrals from top industry professionals to boost your chances. After all, that’s how the hiring game is played, right?

Well, not at Smallest AI.

A Bengaluru-based artificial intelligence startup is throwing traditional hiring norms out the window by offering a whopping ₹40 LPA salary for a software engineering role—without requiring a resume or a college degree.

Sounds unbelievable? That’s exactly why the internet can’t stop talking about it. Here TICE brings key details of this viral post.

The Job Post That Went Viral

It all started with a bold and unconventional job post on X (formerly Twitter) by Sudarshan Kamath, the founder of Smallest AI. Instead of asking for a detailed resume, years of experience, or a fancy degree, Kamath’s job description was refreshingly simple:

"We are looking to hire a cracked full-stack engineer at Smallest AI. Send a small 100-word text introducing yourself + links to your best work to info@smallest.ai."

That’s it. No long forms, no ATS filters rejecting candidates based on keywords, and certainly no barriers like “Must be from IITs” or “Minimum 5 years of experience”.

Here’s what the job actually offers:

• Salary: ₹40 LPA (₹15-25 LPA base + ₹10-15 LPA in ESOPs)
• Experience: 0-2 years
• Location: Indiranagar, Bengaluru
• Work Mode: 5 days a week, in-office
• Educational Qualification: Doesn't matter

The Internet Reacts—Cheers, Doubts & Heated Debates

As expected, the post blew up, garnering nearly 3.3 lakh views and sparking a heated debate about modern hiring practices.

Many tech enthusiasts and job seekers applauded the move, calling it a much-needed shift in the recruitment process that focuses on skill over formal education.

"This is how hiring should be! No more unnecessary degree filters!" one user commented.

Another added, "Big companies should also adopt this approach. Talent matters, not just fancy colleges!"

But not everyone was convinced.

Some argued that ₹40 LPA wasn’t as attractive as it sounded, especially considering Bengaluru’s skyrocketing cost of living.

"Indiranagar is expensive! Out of ₹15 LPA base salary, your in-hand pay will be around ₹1 lakh per month. Rent alone can be ₹35,000+ for a shared space. You'd barely save ₹20,000," one skeptical commenter pointed out.

Others questioned whether such high expectations—hiring a “cracked” full-stack engineer—matched the salary package being offered.

"‘Cracked’, ‘full-stack’, and ‘5 days in-office’? This job deserves way more than ₹25L fixed and a bunch of promises," wrote another user.

Breaking the Degree Barrier—A New Hiring Trend?

Smallest AI’s hiring strategy is not just about one job post—it reflects a growing shift in the industry. Over the past few years, many companies, including global giants like Tesla and Google, have embraced skills-based hiring.

In India, however, a degree from a prestigious college still dominates hiring decisions. But is that changing?

This job posting hints at a potential transformation—one where hiring prioritizes raw talent, portfolio, and practical skills over college names and years of experience.

For many aspiring engineers who lack an IIT or NIT tag, this job posting is a breath of fresh air.

"Sometimes, I feel that not being from a Tier 1 college limits my opportunities. But news like this gives me hope," shared a commenter.

While Smallest AI’s approach has sparked excitement, it also raises important questions:

🔹 Will more startups ditch resumes and degree filters?
🔹 Can skills-first hiring scale beyond niche companies?
🔹 Will big corporations ever adopt this model?

For now, this experiment is making waves in the Indian startup ecosystem. Whether it turns into a hiring revolution or remains a one-off move, one thing is clear—Smallest AI has challenged the status quo, and the industry is watching.

So, what do you think? Would you apply for a ₹40 LPA job without a resume or degree?