Sabeer Bhatia, the co-founder of Hotmail, has strongly criticized India’s education system, especially the way it prepares students for competitive exams like the JEE. In a recent podcast, Bhatia said the current system does not encourage critical thinking and is harming creativity and innovation.
He pointed out that even top students from well-known institutions like IIT often aim for high-paying jobs at companies like JP Morgan instead of starting something new or building their own ideas. According to him, the system is designed to train students for exams rather than prepare them for real-world challenges.
Bhatia believes this mindset is holding back entrepreneurship in India. He also called out coaching hubs like Kota, where the pressure to crack entrance exams can be intense. He says the focus should shift from just scoring marks to developing problem-solving skills and encouraging original thinking.
His comments have sparked conversation around how India can improve its education model to support future innovators and entrepreneurs.
