'Rs 3.5 lakh packages in 2026?': CA warns Gen Z about following passion in 20s instead of prioritizing high-income skills
For years, Indian students have been told to “follow their passion” and success will eventually follow. But as layoffs rise, salaries stagnate, and living costs continue to climb, that advice is beginning to sound less inspiring and more unrealistic to many young professionals. Chartered Accountant and finance creator Nitin Kaushik has now sparked a sharp debate online after warning Gen Z against chasing passion too early in life without first building financial stability and high-income skills.
Taking to X, Kaushik wrote, “Passion doesn't pay EMIs,” before diving into what he called an “uncomfortable truth” about careers and money in India. According to him, the popular “follow your passion” narrative is deeply disconnected from the financial realities faced by most middle-class Indians. He argued that the advice may work in countries with stronger financial safety nets, but not in a system where lakhs of students compete every year for limited opportunities, and financial pressure begins early in adulthood.
“Passion isn't a strategy. It's a gamble where the house always wins,” he wrote. Kaushik pointed toward what he described as “entry-level stagnation” across industries. He highlighted that several mass recruiters and corporate firms continue to offer starting salaries between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh annually, figures that have barely changed in over a decade despite soaring inflation and rising living costs.
Stagnant salaries
He noted that while the cost of rent, transportation, food, and daily essentials has sharply increased, fresher salaries in many sectors have remained largely stagnant. In such a scenario, he warned that blindly pursuing passion in low-demand industries could push young people toward long-term financial instability.
The CA was particularly blunt when discussing the creative economy. Referring to professions such as writing, photography, and design, Kaushik said the market has become “hyper saturated,” making it extremely difficult for newcomers to build a sustainable income.
“If your passion is writing, design, or photography, you aren't competing with your peers,” he wrote. “You are competing with a hyper-saturated market where the average player struggles to clear Rs 20,000 a month.” He added that while social media often showcases successful creators and freelancers, the reality is far harsher for most people trying to enter these industries. According to him, the top 1% corner the majority of earnings, leaving the rest fighting for limited opportunities and inconsistent pay.
Paying rent
“Rent doesn't care about your creative fulfilment,” he remarked. Instead of beginning with passion, Kaushik advised young professionals to first identify industries where money and hiring demand are growing rapidly. He urged Gen Z to focus on developing skills in sectors such as specialised technology, data architecture, finance, and corporate law.
What pays more?
“Don't look for what you love; look for where the capital is flowing,” he said. Kaushik further argued that people in their 20s should prioritise building leverage and financial security before taking risks on passion projects or side hustles. He described high-income skills as a safety net that gives people the freedom to later explore creative ambitions without constant financial anxiety.
“Build a high-income skill first to fund your freedom later,” he wrote. The finance creator also stressed how financial stress can quietly destroy creativity and motivation over time. According to him, many people romanticise passion-driven careers without acknowledging the emotional toll of unstable income, debt, and uncertainty.
Financial anxiety
“Financial anxiety kills passion faster than a boring 9 to 5 ever will,” he added. Kaushik concluded his post by saying that true peace of mind comes from stability and independence, not from blindly chasing dreams without preparation. “Build your bank account first, then use that capital to buy the luxury of pursuing what you love,” he wrote.
His comments have since triggered widespread reactions online, especially among young professionals navigating layoffs, expensive city life, and increasing competition in the job market. While some users agreed that financial security should come before passion, others argued that reducing careers purely to income can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction later in life. Still, the post has clearly struck a nerve with a generation trying to balance ambition, survival, and the pressure to “do what they love” in an increasingly uncertain economy.
Taking to X, Kaushik wrote, “Passion doesn't pay EMIs,” before diving into what he called an “uncomfortable truth” about careers and money in India. According to him, the popular “follow your passion” narrative is deeply disconnected from the financial realities faced by most middle-class Indians. He argued that the advice may work in countries with stronger financial safety nets, but not in a system where lakhs of students compete every year for limited opportunities, and financial pressure begins early in adulthood.
“Passion isn't a strategy. It's a gamble where the house always wins,” he wrote. Kaushik pointed toward what he described as “entry-level stagnation” across industries. He highlighted that several mass recruiters and corporate firms continue to offer starting salaries between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh annually, figures that have barely changed in over a decade despite soaring inflation and rising living costs.
Stagnant salaries
He noted that while the cost of rent, transportation, food, and daily essentials has sharply increased, fresher salaries in many sectors have remained largely stagnant. In such a scenario, he warned that blindly pursuing passion in low-demand industries could push young people toward long-term financial instability.
The CA was particularly blunt when discussing the creative economy. Referring to professions such as writing, photography, and design, Kaushik said the market has become “hyper saturated,” making it extremely difficult for newcomers to build a sustainable income.
“If your passion is writing, design, or photography, you aren't competing with your peers,” he wrote. “You are competing with a hyper-saturated market where the average player struggles to clear Rs 20,000 a month.” He added that while social media often showcases successful creators and freelancers, the reality is far harsher for most people trying to enter these industries. According to him, the top 1% corner the majority of earnings, leaving the rest fighting for limited opportunities and inconsistent pay.
Paying rent
“Rent doesn't care about your creative fulfilment,” he remarked. Instead of beginning with passion, Kaushik advised young professionals to first identify industries where money and hiring demand are growing rapidly. He urged Gen Z to focus on developing skills in sectors such as specialised technology, data architecture, finance, and corporate law.
What pays more?
“Don't look for what you love; look for where the capital is flowing,” he said. Kaushik further argued that people in their 20s should prioritise building leverage and financial security before taking risks on passion projects or side hustles. He described high-income skills as a safety net that gives people the freedom to later explore creative ambitions without constant financial anxiety.
“Build a high-income skill first to fund your freedom later,” he wrote. The finance creator also stressed how financial stress can quietly destroy creativity and motivation over time. According to him, many people romanticise passion-driven careers without acknowledging the emotional toll of unstable income, debt, and uncertainty.
Financial anxiety
“Financial anxiety kills passion faster than a boring 9 to 5 ever will,” he added. Kaushik concluded his post by saying that true peace of mind comes from stability and independence, not from blindly chasing dreams without preparation. “Build your bank account first, then use that capital to buy the luxury of pursuing what you love,” he wrote.
His comments have since triggered widespread reactions online, especially among young professionals navigating layoffs, expensive city life, and increasing competition in the job market. While some users agreed that financial security should come before passion, others argued that reducing careers purely to income can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction later in life. Still, the post has clearly struck a nerve with a generation trying to balance ambition, survival, and the pressure to “do what they love” in an increasingly uncertain economy.
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