A Jaipur-based tech worker has drawn attention online after exposing an internship offer that allegedly demanded a fee from candidates before joining. The post was shared on X by a user named Poonam and quickly went viral, with several users claiming they had seen similar internship listings.
In the post, Poonam shared a screenshot of the internship details and added a sarcastic remark that highlighted the unusual condition in the offer. The post soon sparked debate among users about the legitimacy of such internship practices and whether students are increasingly being targeted through questionable job offers.
According to the offer letter shared in the screenshot, the internship promised a monthly basic pay of Rs 22,500 along with performance based incentives. It also mentioned an internet allowance of Rs 500 per month, which brought the total monthly earnings to Rs 23,500. The document stated that the in hand salary would be Rs 23,000 per month.
The offer further explained that selected interns would be assigned to a client and project after completing the onboarding process. It also said that the stipend would be released only after successful completion of the assigned work. However, what stood out in the document was the requirement for candidates to pay Rs 1,594 as an internship fee in order to confirm their enrolment. Applicants were instructed to make the payment online through a shared internship form link.
The letter also claimed that once the payment was completed, candidates would receive a confirmation email on the same day. This email would include onboarding details, login credentials, platform access, mentor information, and internship session links. The internship also offered flexibility in choosing the joining date, according to the document.
Social media reactions
The post quickly caught the attention of social media users, many of whom questioned the legitimacy of the offer.
One user said, “Hahahahaha, how incredibly fortunate! I, too, landed this internship without lifting a finger. Their generosity truly knows no bounds.”
Another person wrote, “Ohh sh*t, I think cockroach janth party should include this also in their manifesto.
“Do the work… and somehow end up paying the company a stipend too,” a third user said.