How Vishal Mega Mart’s security guard job sparked a nationwide meme fest

Salary figures for the position have also drawn attention.

A routine job advertisement by retail giant Vishal Mega Mart for the recruitment of security guards has unexpectedly snowballed into a nationwide internet phenomenon. What began as a large-scale hiring campaign quickly transformed into a satirical commentary on India’s employment crisis, as memes, reels and parody posts flooded platforms such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

The chain, which operates over 645 outlets across India, recently announced the hiring of thousands of security guards. While the recruitment drive was a serious effort to bolster its workforce, social media users seized upon the job announcement with irreverent humour, elevating the security guard post to near-mythical status.

Catchphrases like “Ek hi sapna – Vishal Mega Mart security guard” (“Only one dream – to be a Vishal Mega Mart security guard”) and “Vishal Mega Mart chowkidar first attempt fail” began circulating widely online, echoing the language commonly associated with India’s ultra-competitive examinations such as UPSC, IIT-JEE and NEET.

With God's grace I secured AIR - 2 in Vishal Mega Mart Security Guard Examspic.twitter.com/AYIb9BaUBM
(@bas_kar_oyee) May 17, 2025

Vishal Mega Mart main security guard ki job ke liye aapne certificates dekha te huye : pic.twitter.com/QLROwkJqQggogi bhai (@justedit4u) May 17, 2025

pic.twitter.com/IXOP2Y2uRl
UmdarTamker (@UmdarTamker) May 17, 2025

Me entering my village after getting the job of Security Guard in Vishal Mega Mart:pic.twitter.com/z8GjfKZd7ENikhil (@Risenik) May 19, 2025

The satire took a turn when users began fabricating elaborate selection procedures for the role. As per one viral Instagram post, an entrance exam for Vishal Mega Mart’s Security Guard Services was reportedly conducted on April 1. The post claimed the exam included questions on Current Affairs, English, and the local language, followed by a Medical Test and a Physical Training evaluation. Candidates with prior experience as guards, shooting training, or martial arts skills were said to be given preference.

“Students not only local to the Mart but from all places around the state appeared for the Test but only the Top 1% could make it, making it way harder to crack than most Exams held,” the post mockingly stated.

AI-generated memes further intensified the trend, with visuals showing cricketer Virat Kohli and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo wearing security guard uniforms outside a fictional Vishal Mega Mart outlet. “Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket because he got selected as a security guard at Vishal Mega Mart,” read one viral caption. Others depicted fake coaching centres and mock interviews, poking fun at the job frenzy.

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A post shared by Shubham Sanjay Chavan (@shubseditz)

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Vishal Mega mart Security gaurd batch 2025 By Jaan Sir Patna pic.twitter.com/Z3QK9sWOKUDivyanshu Tiwari (@divyaaanshuu) May 17, 2025

Salary figures for the position have also drawn attention. According to data from AmbitionBox and Glassdoor, the role of security guard at Vishal Mega Mart falls under a tiered pay structure. Freshers typically earn between Rs 9,000 and Rs 12,000 per month. Those with prior experience command salaries between Rs 13,000 and Rs 18,000 per month, while supervisory roles offer between ₹19,000 and Rs 25,000. Benefits reportedly include medical coverage, provident fund (PF), and staff discounts.