Can hard work beat generational wealth? Man compares life of IIT graduate vs lower-tier college pass-out

In India’s competitive education and job landscape, success is often framed as a product of relentless effort, elite degrees, and personal sacrifice. But a recent Reddit discussion has reopened an uncomfortable question many young professionals quietly grapple with: does hard work really outweigh generational wealth in real life? The debate was triggered after a user compared the long-term outcomes of an IIT–IIM graduate and a lower-tier college pass-out who began life with inherited assets.

The post quickly gained traction, reflecting broader anxieties around class mobility, career pressure, and what “winning” actually looks like in modern India.

Two Careers, Two Starting Lines

According to the Reddit post, the comparison came from the user’s father, who drew from real examples in his social circle. One individual started from nothing, cracked a top-tier IIT, followed by IIM Bangalore, and built his entire wealth through high-paying roles over decades. However, the demanding work culture eventually took a toll on his health, leading to early retirement. His estimated lifetime net worth stood between ₹22 and ₹25 crore, earned entirely through work.


In contrast, another individual studied at a lower-ranked college and earned significantly less through his career. However, he inherited moderate generational wealth. Today, his net worth is estimated at ₹15–17 crore, alongside a more balanced lifestyle and better health.

The father’s takeaway, as paraphrased by the Reddit user, was not to diminish hard work, but to recognise how much the starting point matters in shaping outcomes.

How Rare Is Generational Wealth?

The post also cited commonly discussed wealth estimates in India, suggesting that a vast majority of Indians begin life without meaningful inherited assets. According to the user’s understanding, as mentioned in the comments, over 90 percent of people have little to no generational wealth, nearly all remain below ₹10 crore in net worth, and only a very small fraction ever cross the ₹15 crore mark. Several commenters debated these numbers, pointing out issues such as black money, population size, and statistical interpretation.

While the exact figures were contested in the comments, most agreed on the broader reality: inheriting substantial wealth is still an exception, not the norm.

Career Success vs Social Reality

The discussion took a sharper turn when commenters began separating professional success from social outcomes. Some argued that while education and competence matter at work, inherited wealth carries disproportionate weight in areas like marriage. One commenter noted that in arranged marriage settings, financial background often overshadows degrees, salaries, or personal habits.

Others pushed back, saying such generalisations ignore changing social norms and oversimplify women’s choices. A few commenters highlighted that many educated women still face pressure to give up careers after marriage, making financial stability a rational consideration rather than greed.