Shaadi.com founder and Shark Tank India choose Anupam Mittal has ignited an internet debate after questioning the broadly accepted observe of job seekers demanding a 35% wage hike throughout hiring discussions.

“When are you able to be a part of? In a single month. Wage? 35% increment? Why 35%? Customary hai sir. WTF? Ye normal kisne banaya?,” he wrote on X (previously Twitter).

When are you able to be a part of?
In a single month.
Wage?
35% increment?
Why 35%?
Customary hai sir

WTF? Ye normal kisne banaya 🤔

— Anupam Mittal (@AnupamMittal) October 27, 2025

Mittal’s publish rapidly went viral and sparked a debate on wage hikes and increments.

Increasing on his level, Mittal later clarified that his objection was to not candidates negotiating increased pay however to what he known as an “arbitrary normal.”

“The purpose that almost all of you geniuses missed is that there’s an entitlement of some arbitrary normal. If a job deserves it, one ought to demand even 2x, why simply 35%? In the end, the market decides,” he wrote.

Netizens’ response

Many individuals had been divided on his stance. Some supported Mittal’s name for merit-based negotiations, whereas others argued that the 35% benchmark helps shield staff switching jobs in inflationary markets or after years of stagnant pay.

“Why can’t individuals ask for the next increment when you may ask for increased fairness on a regular basis?” a consumer wrote.

“35% to kam bola… It’s greater than 50% nowadays. These days, Candidates are asking wage based mostly on ability. It additionally isn’t not like +20% on final wage,” one other famous.

“Let’s be honest. A 2x improve is nearly by no means granted. If it occurs, the quantity is normally so small that it isn’t price mentioning. Altering jobs is the one dependable manner for an worker to safe a major pay leap, as firms sometimes don’t give substantial raises to loyal staff over time. Loyalty is never rewarded, not less than in corporates. So, a sure proportion turned an trade normal as a result of the trade determined to pretty reward these staff,” a 3rd expressed.

Let’s be honest. A 2x improve is nearly by no means granted. If it occurs, the quantity is normally so small that it isn’t price mentioning. Altering jobs is the one dependable manner for an worker to safe a major pay leap, as firms sometimes don’t give substantial raises to…

— Naman P Singhal (@BrandEqNaman) October 27, 2025

Free market hai na bhai. Reject them for those who can’t afford. Isme WTF kya hai? Such as you say market decides, so market consists of staff too, marzi uski.

— Maddy P (@NameIsMaddyP) October 27, 2025

“The interview course of is meant to guage a candidate for his experience, however for wage expectation it needs to be a mutual choice. A person is aware of his price shall we say I say not less than 50% increment is required the organisation ought to perceive my level and put their funds in entrance. Each events ought to mutually come to some extent. The issue is the market is flooded with expertise you could find good expertise at low-cost worth,” a fourth added.

That is not true, man. Nobody says that.
It is normal observe for individuals to ask for a wage hike based mostly on their expertise, expertise, and workload as outlined within the JD, not based mostly on any pre-fixed proportion.

— Ajesh Dubey (@Dubey_025) October 27, 2025