India's 'unpaid' work culture: Viral Reddit post sparks outrage over internship exploitation, netizen says, 'it's a literal scam'

In the increasingly digital and competitive landscape of India’s tech industry, one Reddit user’s experience has ignited a firestorm of debate around a deeply rooted but often overlooked issue — the culture of unpaid work masked as opportunity.

A young developer, eager to kickstart a career in mobile app development, shared a frustrating experience on the popular subreddit r/developersIndia. The post, titled “Free Work Culture in India | Why is it so Difficult to Pay for Work?”, recounts how after applying for a remote internship in Flutter development, the individual was given a technical assignment with a strict two-day deadline. The task was completed meticulously, aligning with the requirements set out in the job posting — which had explicitly mentioned a modest stipend of ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 per month.

Things seemed promising when the company reached out to discuss the working environment and offered an overview of the internship's structure. But when the candidate asked a simple and valid question — “What stipend can I expect?” — the call ended in silence. There has been no communication since.

“Experience Doesn’t Pay the Bills”
The post struck a chord with hundreds, who flooded the thread with their own stories and opinions. Many highlighted that unpaid internships or pre-employment tasks have become normalized under the guise of “gaining experience.” A top-voted comment advised: “Never work for free. Turn that assignment into a portfolio project, post it on LinkedIn, and make it work for you instead.”

Others were blunt. “It’s a literal scam,” one user commented, referencing job listings that require candidates to agree to a trial period of unpaid work — often under the illusion of a future paid role that never materializes.

A Pipeline of Free Labor?
Several developers pointed to a systemic issue: the overwhelming supply of candidates desperate for experience. “They’re expecting work for free because there are a ton of people willing to do it,” one user observed. It's basic economics — a saturated job market creates a buyer’s advantage, and in this case, employers are cashing in on the enthusiasm and urgency of fresh graduates and job seekers.

One intern admitted to working for just ₹5,000 a month, compelled by the need to fulfill a mandatory internship for their college degree. “Exploitation at its peak,” they said, summing up the bitter irony many students face — having to pay fees to institutions and still working for peanuts, or nothing at all, just to graduate.

When ‘Trial Assignments’ Become Free Projects
Many commenters also raised the concern that companies may be using trial assignments as a way to crowdsource ideas or extract labor without any intent to hire. With each hopeful candidate completing a unique task, the company potentially collects a variety of development solutions — all for free.

Such practices blur ethical lines and raise serious concerns about the need for regulation and accountability in India’s digital work economy.

The Bigger Picture: Reimagining Internships in India
The viral post has opened up broader conversations about dignity of labor, fair compensation, and professional integrity. While the tech world champions innovation, it appears to be lagging when it comes to ethical hiring practices.

As India's startup and IT sectors continue to boom, industry leaders and institutions may need to rethink how they value young talent. Internships should be stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. For now, as more voices join the chorus online, one thing is clear — experience is valuable, but not when it comes at the cost of self-respect and survival.

Because no one should have to “work for exposure” in the world’s fastest-growing economy.