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Indore man fails JEE twice, learns product designing on YouTube. Now earns ₹2 lakh monthly

Ankur Warikoo shared a post about a man who now freelances for a living. He claimed that person was one of the most talented individuals he had met.

Updated on: Aug 18, 2026, 06:54:09 IST
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In a social media post, Ankur Warikoo criticised the country's reliance on elite college degrees to measure potential, stating that India suffers from a label problem rather than a talent shortage. To illustrate his point, he featured an Indore-based designer who learned product design on YouTube after failing the JEE, ultimately building a thriving freelance career.

A post about a man who failed JEE and changed the course of his career has prompted varied responses. (Representative image). (Pexels)
A post about a man who failed JEE and changed the course of his career has prompted varied responses. (Representative image). (Pexels)

“India does not have a talent problem. It has a label problem,” Ankur Warikoo wrote on Instagram while sharing about the freelancer’s journey.

Also Read: ‘I earn in Sweden, invest in Indian properties’: Mumbai woman on starting her business after relocating

He continued, “We’ve been trained to recognize talent only when it comes stamped with the right college, degree, or company. And that’s why some of the best talent in the country remains invisible.”

The entrepreneur expressed, “Credentials can tell you where someone has been. They cannot tell you how far they can go.”

In a visual,, he depicted the journey of the man who failed to crack JEE but carved out his own career through his determination.

“The most talented kid I have met was from Indore. Failed JEE twice. Taught himself product design on YouTube at night. Has a portfolio that would embarrass most IIT graduates. He freelances and makes 2L per month!”

While responding to one of the comments on his post, Warikoo shared that the man’s name is Naman.

What did social media say?

The post prompted varied reactions on social media. While some thanked Warikoo for sharing about the freelancer, others argued that not everyone who graduates from IIT makes high salaries. Earlier, he also shared about the man on X.

An individual commented, “True. And those who teach themselves and make money are certainly among the smartest people. They can achieve many things IITians can't. Respect. I know a few.”

Also Read: Dharavi-born techie lands 2 crore US job, gets green card and buys parents a house

Another expressed, “Coming from a Tier 2 city, you quickly realise your pin code and college name open fewer doors. So you learn to let your work speak louder than your resume.” A third posted, “We really need this type of person more in this country, and hopefully, eventually, people will start respecting them.”

A fourth wrote, “The biggest advantage isn't talent or pedigree anymore. It's the willingness to keep learning after everyone else has decided you're done.” A few reacted with emojis.

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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