IIT degree with NYU Masters and New York job! Yet this 31-year-old Indian man says his matrimony value is ‘near zero’

An IIT degree. A master's from New York University. A high-paying tech job in New York City. For most people, that sounds like the perfect success story.But according to one Indian software engineer, those achievements still don't carry as much weight in some marriage circles as a government job does.A post shared by Akash Sampurnanand Pandey on X has struck a chord online after he jokingly claimed that his "value" in the matrimony market is surprisingly low despite an impressive academic and professional journey.Pandey, who is originally from Uttar Pradesh, reflected on a familiar dream many children in UP and Bihar grow up hearing."If you are even remotely smart in a UP or Bihar household, you are told two things growing up: crack IIT and become a Collector," he wrote.

While he successfully achieved one half of that goal, the second never happened.Today, Pandey is a 31-year-old software engineer based in New York. He works from the 60th floor of the World Trade Center, holds a master's degree from NYU and completed his engineering from IIT BHU.Yet, in a tongue-in-cheek observation, he suggested that none of it seems to matter as much as a government designation when it comes to arranged marriage discussions.

"Clearly, my value in the matrimony market in UP is near zero because not only did I not become an IAS officer, I could not get any government job," he wrote.His post quickly sparked a lively conversation online, with many people admitting that government jobs continue to enjoy a unique status in several parts of India.For generations, professions such as IAS officers, IPS officers, PCS officers and other government positions have been associated with stability, social prestige and long-term security.

And while India's economy has changed dramatically, many believe those perceptions still influence marriage preferences in some families.Several users agreed with Pandey's take.One person commented, "Things have changed, but government jobs are still highly valued because people know such opportunities are limited."Another wrote, "Salary and all is good, but if you are not in a position of power, it is considered less valuable by many people."But not everyone was convinced.Many users argued that an IIT graduate working in New York would hardly struggle in the marriage market."IIT grooms are high-value assets in the matrimony market," one user responded.Others felt the discussion highlighted something deeper than careers or salaries.For them, it was about how success is measured differently across generations and communities. While one family may see an international career as the ultimate achievement, another may still view a government posting as the bigger prize.One commenter summed it up simply: "Pandey ji, you've already made it in life. It doesn't matter what people think."Another added a dose of humour, suggesting, "Go to your ancestral village in a Range Rover and you'll immediately find out how much they value you."The post may have been written jokingly, but it has reopened an old debate that many Indians know well: when it comes to marriage, what counts more - global success or a government job?Judging by the reactions online, the answer still depends on whom you ask.Thumb image: Representational