Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal returns to alma mater IIT-Bombay for recruitment: ‘Didn’t get Day 0 job myself’

Bhavish Aggarwal, Founder and CEO Ola, Ola Electric (Illustration: Moneycontrol)

Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal is today present at his alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, for campus placements. In a post shared on the social media platform X yesterday, Aggarwal said he would take part in Day Zero campus interviews at IIT-Bombay.

The Ola CEO also shared that he himself could not land an offer from a Day Zero company when he was a student at IIT-Bombay.

“Doing many day 0 campus interviews today at IITs. Such bright and energetic young people! Can’t be more excited about the future of our country!!” he wrote. “Will also be at IITB tomorrow morning 3 am to hire day 0 from my college when I didn’t get a day 0 job myself.”

Doing many day 0 campus interviews today at IITs. Such bright and energetic young people! Can’t be more excited about the future of our country!!

Will also be at IITB tomorrow morning 3am to hire day 0 from my college when I didn’t get a day 0 job myself

— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) November 30, 2023

Typically, Day Zero is reserved for top companies that recruit the best talent from the prestigious institutes. The term "Day 0 placement" refers to securing a job offer on the very first day of the placement season – a feat that gives bragging rights to successful candidates.

Bhavish Aggarwal was named among India’s top 200 self-made entrepreneurs for 2023 by Hurun and IDFC. The Ludhiana-born entrepreneur studied Computer Science and Engineering at IIT-Bombay.

“Established in 2017 as a subsidiary of Ola, the renowned Indian ride-hailing company, Ola Electric leads the electric mobility revolution in India and globally. This visionary initiative was brought to fruition by the entrepreneurial brilliance of Bhavish Aggarwal, who also serves as the co-founder and CEO of Ola,” the Hurun report said.