Nikhil Kamath’s Advice for the Graduating Class of 2025

Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha and a prominent Indian entrepreneur, delivered a candid and thought-provoking speech to the graduating class of 2025.

Dropping out of high school at 15, Kamath embarked on an extraordinary journey from selling cell phones in his neighborhood to becoming one of India’s youngest billionaires.

His career, spanning over two decades as a trader and investor, reflects a relentless drive, sharp instincts, and a willingness to challenge societal norms.

In his candid and thought-provoking address to the graduating class of 2025, Kamath shares hard-earned lessons from his unconventional path, offering graduates a refreshing perspective on success, work, and life.

Below, we dive into the key takeaways from his speech, highlighting memorable quotes that resonate with wisdom and authenticity.

1. The Pursuit of Money Isn’t Everything

Kamath began by reflecting on his younger self, admitting that if asked what he wanted at the graduates’ age, his answer would have been “money.” He acknowledged that this desire might stem from his childhood or environment but emphasized that money alone doesn’t define success.

“If someone were to ask me what I want, the answer would likely be money.”

He urged graduates to look beyond the capitalistic pursuit, noting that while ambition and drive are essential, measuring life solely through wealth is a trap.

“There is no winner in the capitalistic pursuit; you will always find somebody who has more,” he said, encouraging students to find joy in the journey rather than obsessing over the destination.

2. Hard Work Isn’t Always the Answer

In a surprising twist, Kamath challenged the conventional wisdom that hard work guarantees success. He shared a revealing anecdote about a meeting where he and his team admitted to “pretending to work” out of insecurity, realizing that much of their effort was performative.

"For every four hours spent working, for me, three went pretending.”

Kamath argued that in today’s world, working smarter is more effective than working harder. “I work much lesser, I’m happier, and I have the opportunity to be a lot more first-principles about life,” he said.

This lesson encourages graduates to prioritize meaningful effort over mindless hustle.3. Embrace Contradictions in LifeKamath highlighted the complexity of morality and decision-making, noting that life is rarely black-and-white.

He shared a personal mantra tattooed on his arm: “Don’t do unto others as you wouldn’t have others do unto you,” which he uses as a simple guide for navigating ethical dilemmas.

“The key is not to figure out the contradiction... but somehow to make peace with that contradiction and to be able to live with it.”

He advised graduates to accept life’s gray areas and find peace with contradictions rather than seeking absolute answers, a mindset that fosters resilience and adaptability.

4. Anxiety Can Be a Superpower

Kamath openly discussed his struggles with anxiety, attributing it partly to social media and societal pressures. However, he reframed anxiety as a potential asset if channeled into action.

“As long as anxiety is leading us into action, I think it’s a super tool to use in the real world of capitalism,” he said.

“The problem with anxiety, I believe, is when it leads you into inaction.”

He suggested practical ways to manage anxiety, such as reading, exercising, or coding, encouraging graduates to transform their worries into productive energy.

5. Hypocrisy Is a Sign of Growth

In a bold stance, Kamath defended hypocrisy, arguing that changing one’s mind based on new information is a strength, not a flaw. “With new information, with new data, with new insights, if you are able to change your mind and change it quickly, has served me well,” he shared.

“Hypocrisy, I again believe, is good.”

This perspective empowers graduates to remain open to growth and unafraid of evolving their beliefs, even if it invites criticism.

6. Surround Yourself with the Right People

Kamath credited much of his success to the “driven, grounded people” he surrounded himself with, emphasizing that the company you keep has a disproportionate impact on your life.

“Who you surround yourself with, whichever college you go to, I feel like that will have the most disproportionate impact on life compared to anything else you might have voluntarily chosen to do.”

He urged graduates to seek out individuals with strong moral values and ambition, as they shape your trajectory more than any other choice.

7. Gratitude Over Comparison

Kamath concluded with a heartfelt reflection on his current life, filled with gratitude for his family, health, and simple joys like his Labradors, Chase and Grace. He contrasted this with the insecurity of comparing himself to others’ achievements, a common pitfall in the social media age.

“I’m not sat there worrying about what happened in social media or what happened to the next successful businessman, what deal did he crack, in feeling insecure about life.”

His final advice was to “go out, kill, be tigers, try and win, but don’t measure any of your lives with that one tiny lens of capitalism alone.” This powerful message encapsulates the balance between ambition and contentment.

Nikhil Kamath’s advice for the graduating class of 2025 is a refreshing departure from traditional success narratives. By challenging the glorification of hard work, embracing contradictions, and advocating for gratitude, he offers a roadmap for navigating the complexities of modern life.

His candidness and vulnerability make his insights relatable, while his success as an entrepreneur lends them credibility.As graduates step into the world, Kamath’s words serve as a reminder to pursue their dreams fiercely but to define success on their own terms.

“The key here might be not to win the game of capitalism but to play and have a lot of fun while you’re playing,” he said—a fitting mantra for the class of 2025 and beyond.