Zomato, now known as Eternal Ltd, is still in the process of evaluating the approximately 17,000 applications received for the Chief of Staff position, according to CEO Deepinder Goyal. This unique job posting initially sparked considerable debate due to its unconventional terms, which included no salary for the first year and a requirement for candidates to pay a ₹20 lakh fee. This fee was to be donated to Zomato’s Feeding India, a non-profit organization working to eradicate hunger and malnutrition in India. Zomato would also contribute ₹50 lakh, equivalent to the Chief of Staff’s annual salary, to a charity of the employee's choice.
The job description called for someone "hungry," with "empathy," and "common sense," but without significant prior experience or a sense of entitlement. The role was described as encompassing "anything and everything to build the future of Zomato," including ventures like Blinkit, District, Hyperpure, and Feeding India. Goyal posited that the position would provide learning opportunities on par with a two-year degree from a top management school.
The announcement of the unusual terms led to a wave of reactions on social media, with some critics labeling the approach as exploitative. However, Goyal clarified that the ₹20 lakh fee was "merely a filter to find people who had the power to appreciate the opportunity of a fast-track career, without getting bogged down by constraints in front of them". He also stated that Zomato would reject applications from individuals who focused on the monetary aspect. In a message, Goyal conveyed that the company would not eventually ask for the fee and would pay the right person.
In February 2025, Goyal announced that Zomato had hired 18 people for top positions from the pool of applicants, including two individuals for the Chief of Staff role. He emphasized that these individuals are being "handsomely compensated for the value they bring, and nobody paid anything to work with us". The selected candidates included startup founders, engineers, and operators with diverse skills and experiences.
Despite having made some hires, the company is still carefully sifting through the remaining talent pool. Goyal stated that this is a long-term investment in people who will build the future with the company, and they will continue to reach out to suitable candidates.
Zomato, which rebranded as Eternal Ltd in March 2025, has evolved from a restaurant aggregator to a major player in India's food delivery and quick commerce sectors. As of August 2025, the company has 7,221 employees. The company's Q1 consolidated revenue reached ₹7,167 crore, a 70.4% year-over-year increase. The quick commerce segment, including Blinkit, has shown substantial growth, surpassing food delivery in revenue.
