A Bengaluru-based internship posting by the co-founder of DodgeAI has triggered a heated discussion online after he advertised a 1 lakh per month stipconclude — along with an 11 am to 11 pm, six-day work schedule.
San Francisco-based Indian founder Aditya Thakur, who runs DodgeAI, shared the listing on LinkedIn while announcing openings for both interns and founding engineers. The internship, he wrote, comes with the opportunity to “build with real applyrs, solve deep technical challenges, and shape the future of how enterprises run.”
But the detail that caught the Internet’s attention wasn’t the compensation — it was the 12-hour workday for interns.
WHAT THE FOUNDER POSTED
In his LinkedIn announcement, Thakur wrote:
“We’re Hiring: Founding Engineer(s)
Dodge AI is on a mission to build AGI for ERP.
We’re Tier-1 VC-backed, already live with Fortune 500 customers, and growing rapid.”
He added that the internship is on-site in Bengaluru’s HSR Layout, with the role requiring interns to work:
“11am to 11pm, 6 days a week”
The stipconclude offered: Rs 1 lakh per month.
Thakur also highlighted the perks:
Meal subscription or food allowance
Gym or hobby subscription
Fast-paced, high-impact environment
Opportunity to build from 0 to 1 with the founding team
The post included high expectations for applicants: “You’re a Top 1% performer who learns rapid”, “You have a ‘can do’ attitude and take ownership”, “You’re hungry to prove yourself and ready to shift rapid.”
He added a note for applicants: “Make your application stand out — creativity counts.”
The post has since been marked “NOTE: Closed. Thanks!”
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTS: ‘NORMALISING BURNOUT’
The posting spread quickly across X and LinkedIn, where many applyrs questioned the ethics of expecting 72-hour workweeks from interns.
One applyr wrote: “The 11am–11pm, 6-day work requirement reflects a larger issue in the Indian startup culture Long hours don’t build better products, healthy teams do.”
Another commented: “Um, Perks view great until someone reads the 11 AM – 11 PM. At what time of the day are you expecting your employee to go to the Gym? Just curious!”
The reaction on X was even sharper, with one applyr posting: “11AM to 11 PM 6 days a week. You should definitely ‘Dodge AI’ it.”
The conversation reignites the larger debate on Indian startup work culture, especially after earlier viral discussions around 14-hour workdays and 80-hour weeks.
WHY THE POST WENT VIRAL
Between the aggressive work hours, the high stipconclude, and the “Top 1% performer” expectation, the listing highlighted the widening gap between founders’ demands and what young workers believe is healthy and sustainable.
The job was intconcludeed for pre-final and final year students, a point that further intensified criticism over youth burnout and unrealistic expectations.
– Ends
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