Nikhil Kamath: The High School Dropout Who Schooled Indian Finance

Nikhil Kamath: The High School Dropout Who Schooled Indian Finance

What do you call someone who worked at a customer service desk, disliked school, had no interest in college, but went on to cause a stir in the Indian stock market?

Introducing the rule-breaker who transformed "no degree" into "billionaire," Nikhil Kamath.

Life Chapter 1: "I hate homework!"

Nikhil was born in 1986 in Shimoga, Karnataka, and was not your typical straight-A student. In fact, he disliked school.

"I hated school. He once said, "I've always done this."

Tests, lectures, and memorizing information? No, thanks. By the age of 15, he had made a bold decision: he would drop out and sort out life for himself. Most individuals stress when they miss a homework assignment; Nikhil dropped out completely!

Life Chapter 2: Phones, Flush, and First Jobs

Don't assume that Nikhil only sat at home and watched television. Not at all. He began purchasing and reselling used cell phones while still in school in order to generate income. Well, that was a smart move.

However, his mother dumped his entire stock down the toilet after learning about it. literally. It's over!

At the age of 17, Nikhil secured a position at a Bengaluru call center, where he earned ₹8,000 a month. He sold insurance over the phone in the evenings and did something else in the mornings.

Life Chapter 3: Titled as: A Man who could Increase your Wealth

Nikhil was studying stock trading while others were sleeping in. He started playing around with the markets after opening a trading account. Before long, even his coworkers began lending him money for investments. He was actually rather skilled at it!

He gradually established a modest but significant reputation as Nikhil Kamath, the man who could increase your wealth. 

Life Chapter 4: Enter Zerodha – The Disruptor

Let's fast-forward to 2010. The high cost and complexity of investing in India irritated Nikhil and his brother Nithin. High fees were being charged by stockbrokers. New investors were confused. To solve this problem they introduced Zerodha, a combination of the words "Zero" and "Rodha," which in Sanskrit means " No barrier."

Their concept? Let customers trade stocks online for as little as ₹20 per order. No unstated costs.

Does that sound crazy? Everyone did not believe that initially. However, word got out gradually. Ordinary individuals began to sign up, including seniors, small business owners, and college students.

Zerodha was India's largest stock broker by 2019. without any external financiers. 

Life Chapter 5: Not Just One Trick

Nikhil did not stop after changing the stock market.

In 2020, he co-founded True Beacon to assist wealthy individuals in making more informed (and less expensive) investments. Then there was Gruhas, a real estate and property technology company.

Essentially, if you were wealthy and confused, Nikhil had a solution. What if you weren't rich yet? Thanks to Zerodha, you now have a method to get started.

Life Chapter 6: Giving Back – The Big Promise

In 2023, Nikhil became the youngest Indian to join The Giving Pledge, a global promise by the world’s richest people to donate most of their wealth to good causes.

He didn’t just want to build companies. He wanted to fix big problems—like climate change, bad education, and poor healthcare.

He said, “As a young philanthropist, I expect to have more questions than answers.”

Spoiler alert: he’s still learning.

Life Chapter 7: Huge Fan of Learning

What is Nikhil's current perspective on school?

He still doesn't love it, though. He loves to study, just not in the traditional classroom setting. The world, in his opinion, is your best instructor. Attempt, fail, learn, and try again.

What would he advise young people to do? You don't have to know everything. All you have to do is ask questions, maintain your curiosity, and be prepared to try—even if you fail.

The Real Lesson

The life of Nikhil Kamath is an example of curiosity that leads to success. No prestigious university. No significant connections. Just a boy with a calculator, enormous goals, and the courage to challenge expectations.

He demonstrated that guidance is more important for success than a degree.

Because sometimes, the best lessons come after you walk out of the classroom.