Student Confronts Nikhil Kamath Over His Anti-MBA Stance at Columbia Business School, His Response Goes Viral (Watch Video)

A candid exchange between Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath and a student at Columbia Business School has gone viral, reigniting a global debate over the true value of an MBA in the modern economy. Speaking at the India Business Conference over the weekend, Kamath was confronted by a student regarding his previous public criticism of business degrees. The interaction, characterized by sharp wit and blunt economic realism, has since circulated widely on social media, highlighting the tension between traditional elite education and the self-made billionaire's "hustle" philosophy.

The Viral Confrontation at Columbia Business School

The exchange began when Anaheez Patel, a student at the prestigious New York institution, challenged Kamath on his past remarks. "A few months ago, you said if you are 25 and getting your MBA, you must be some kind of idiot," Patel said, questioning why Kamath would choose to speak at a business school event if he held such dismissive views of its students. Zerodha Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath Teases Elon Musk Appearance on Next ‘WTF?’ Podcast Episode.

Nikhil Kamath Agreed That He Would Consider Advocating for an MBA

 

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Kamath immediately recognized the student from her online commentary, responding with a mix of humour and directness. When asked why he was attending the conference despite his stance, Kamath pointed to the collective wealth and networking potential in the room.

"300 grand for your MBA course," Kamath told the audience. "So this room, if it has 500 people here, you have spent USD 90 million to be in this room. I hope knowing the rich kids of India of tomorrow has some value to me in the future. Hence, I’m here," he added. While the remark initially drew laughter and cheers for its bluntness, the interaction reportedly ended on a constructive note. Patel later shared a clip of the banter on Instagram, describing Kamath as a "chill guy" and noting that the conversation was held in good spirit.

According to Patel, Kamath eventually conceded that while he questions the academic curriculum, he advocates for an MBA based on the "access" it provides. The admission that elite networking justifies the high tuition costs was described by students as a "partial win" for the traditional education model. The tension stems from a controversial Ask Me Anything (AMA) session Kamath held months ago at Zerodha’s headquarters. During that session, he argued that traditional education models are losing relevance in a rapidly changing job market.

"If you are 25 and going to an MBA college today, you must be some kind of an idiot," he famously stated at the time. His argument was built on the premise that the two years spent in a classroom might be better utilized gaining real-world experience or building a startup, especially given the rising cost of international degrees. Nikhil Kamath-Elon Musk Podcast: US Billionaire Reveals Partner’s Indian Roots, Says ‘Shivon Is Half Indian, and of My Son‘s Middle Name Is Sekhar’ (Watch Video).

The Evolving MBA Debate

Kamath's comments reflect a growing sentiment among tech leaders who prioritize skill-based hiring over prestigious credentials. However, the Columbia incident also underscores the "social capital" aspect of Ivy League institutions. While Kamath remains a vocal critic of the USD 300,000 price tag for business theory, his presence at the conference suggests that even the most hardened critics of the MBA acknowledge the power of the network it creates. For the students in the room, the "value" was no longer just about the degree, but about the USD 90 million worth of connections Kamath himself highlighted.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 06, 2026 12:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).