Is a college degree really necessary for a successful career today? Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu urges Indian parents to rethink educational pressures, highlighting that skills and potential matter more than formal diplomas.
Zoho focuses on talent, skills, and potential.
New Delhi: Sridhar Vembu, the CEO of Zoho, recently sparked discussion by declaring that a college degree is not necessary to secure a job at his company. Speaking on social media, he urged Indian parents to reconsider the intense pressure placed on children to attend prestigious colleges. Vembu emphasized that hiring should focus on skill and capability rather than formal academic credentials, citing Zoho’s own inclusive hiring practices.
The conversation began in the context of a US-based firm, Palantir, which invited high school graduates to work on complex technology and national security projects. Over five hundred teens applied, twenty-two were selected, and some even chose to forgo Ivy League offers or full scholarships. Vembu noted this as part of a global trend where ambitious young people are finding meaningful work without the traditional college route.
He said, "Smart American students now skip going to college and forward-thinking employers are enabling them." Highlighting the financial burden of college education, Vembu pointed out that many families take on loans worth lakhs of rupees for their children to attend university. By promoting alternative paths to employment, young adults can achieve independence without accumulating massive debt.
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Addressing Indian parents directly, Vembu emphasized the need for a shift in mindset. He said, "I would urge educated Indian parents and high schoolers, as well as leading companies, to pay attention." His comments underscored the cultural pressure in India, where success is often equated with attending a prestigious college, creating stress and limiting opportunities for many talented individuals.
Smart American students now skip going to college and forward-thinking employers are enabling them. This is going to be a profound cultural shift. This is the real "youth power", enabling young men and women to stand on their own feet, without having to incur heavy debt to get a… https://t.co/qrtuWnCx5n
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) December 3, 2025
Vembu clarified Zoho’s internal hiring practices: "At Zoho, no job requires a college degree and if some manager posts a job that requires a degree, they get a polite message from HR to remove the degree requirement." The company prioritizes potential, problem-solving skills, and a proactive attitude over formal education credentials.
He also highlighted his own experience working in Tenkasi with a team whose median age is just 19. “Their energy and can-do spirit is infectious. I have to work hard to keep up with them,” he said, emphasizing how youthful energy drives innovation and productivity within Zoho.
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Vembu’s message reflects a larger global trend among forward-thinking employers who recognize that degrees alone do not guarantee job performance or creativity. By removing degree requirements, companies like Zoho aim to expand opportunities for capable young individuals who might otherwise be excluded simply due to lacking formal academic qualifications.
Sridhar Vembu’s comments challenge long-standing notions about education and employment in India. By highlighting skills and potential over formal degrees, he encourages parents to focus on nurturing talent rather than imposing societal expectations. Zoho’s approach demonstrates how businesses can adapt to changing workforce dynamics, creating opportunities for young people to thrive based on their capabilities rather than their diplomas.
