Tue Apr 08 16:06:16 UTC 2025: ## Hotmail Co-founder Slams India’s Engineering Education, Calls for Cultural Shift

**NEW DELHI** – Sabeer Bhatia, co-founder of Hotmail, has launched a scathing critique of India’s engineering education system and work culture, arguing that a lack of hands-on experience and emphasis on management roles stifle genuine innovation. In a recent podcast, Bhatia questioned the prioritization of business over technical skills, noting that India celebrates figures who profit from outsourcing rather than original software development.

“Ninety-nine percent of Indian engineering graduates move into management, but where’s the work ethic? Where are the people building real products?” he questioned. He criticized the “body shopping” model, stating that those who profit from it are often lauded as software gurus despite lacking coding experience.

Bhatia contrasted India’s system with China’s, highlighting the impact of inclusive and subsidized education in fostering a more technically proficient workforce. He lamented the high cost of education in India, suggesting it creates a system where many graduates prioritize marriage and dowry over pursuing technological innovation.

However, Bhatia remains optimistic. He believes India can leverage technology to bridge this gap by focusing on apps that teach critical thinking and problem-solving skills. He emphasized the importance of practical experience over theoretical learning, citing his own experience at Apple and the development of Hotmail as evidence that innovation flourishes through hands-on work, not just textbooks. He specifically noted the contrast between the forward-thinking curriculum at Stanford and what he perceives as an outdated approach at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

Bhatia’s concerns echo recent statements by India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, who also advocated for a significant overhaul of engineering curricula, particularly at prestigious institutions like the IITs. Bhatia’s call for a cultural shift that values practical skills and original software development over management and outsourcing is likely to spark debate on the future of India’s technological landscape.

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