A recruitment advertisement from a Mumbai-based company has ignited a firestorm on social media after it explicitly barred individuals living in rented homes or paying guest (PG) accommodations from applying for jobs. The company's job application form, which went viral for its controversial eligibility criteria, has triggered a nationwide debate on fair hiring practices and potential discrimination.
Viral Job Form Excludes Renters
The controversy began when an X user named Abhinav shared a screenshot of the company's job application form on the social media platform. The form was reportedly shared during campus placement sessions. The screenshot quickly gained traction, drawing widespread criticism for its unusual and exclusionary requirements.
While the form listed a B.E. degree in Computer Science or IT as a primary educational qualification, the clause that caused maximum outrage was related to the candidate's residential status. Under the mandatory document requirements, applicants were asked to submit an Aadhaar card matching their current Mumbai residential address, along with a PAN card.
A clear note at the bottom of the form stated that candidates staying in rented or PG accommodations were "not eligible" to apply. This specific condition moved the discussion beyond professional qualifications to personal living arrangements, a factor rarely seen in standard hiring processes.
Social Media Backlash and Suspected Motives
The job advertisement faced immediate and severe backlash on platform X, with numerous users labeling the requirement as "unfair" and discriminatory. A common theory emerged among commenters, suggesting the company's intent was to hire only local Mumbaikars who live with their parents in owned homes.
Many speculated that this was a strategy to offer salaries significantly below market rates. "If a candidate lives with their parents in their own home, they don't have rent to pay. The company can offer a significantly lower salary below market standards," one user pointed out, calling the entire ad a major "red flag" for any potential employee.
Another user echoed the sentiment, commenting, "Maybe they aren't able to pay enough for a student to cover accommodation so they prefer locals." This perspective highlighted a growing concern about companies exploiting the financial stability of local candidates to depress wage offerings.
Legal Concerns and a Common Practice?
The debate soon escalated to legal grounds. Several users on X pointed out that such a hiring clause might violate constitutional rights. User @JhaPravash21 specifically cited Article 16 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality of opportunity in matters of public employment and prohibits discrimination on grounds of residence.
"Article 16 of the constitution doesn't allow that. Few states tried doing that and got backlash from court. This company also can get into legal trouble," the user noted, suggesting the policy could be legally challenged.
Interestingly, amidst the outrage, several other X users claimed that such "locals only" hiring preferences are not uncommon among many Mumbai-based firms, though they are rarely stated so explicitly in official forms. The viral incident has led to calls for Abhinav to publicly name the company behind the controversial listing, to hold it accountable and discourage similar practices by other organizations.
The incident underscores a critical conversation about ethics, equality, and transparency in Indian corporate hiring, pushing the boundaries of what can legally and morally be considered an "eligibility criterion."
