Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of brokerage firm Zerodha, has said he does not believe in being overly certain about what he wants from life. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2026, the entrepreneur explained that his priorities may change with time and that he prefers to keep his options open rather than commit to a fixed vision of the future, including on marriage and children.
In a conversation with NDTV CEO and Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal, Kamath was asked whether his current decision not to marry or have children was permanent. He said he could not predict what he would want even six months from now, let alone five years into the future.
“I don’t know what I’ll want six months from now, let alone five years from now. The people I find most appealing are those who are not certain. I think certainty is a problem,” he said.
Why Nikhil Kamath Questions Certainty
Kamath elaborated on why he believes certainty can become a limitation. According to him, people sometimes become so attached to their beliefs that changing their minds becomes difficult, even when circumstances change.
“Too many people try to define what they believe in and then become so emotionally attached to those beliefs, and almost egoistic about them, that they are never willing to change their minds,” he said.
His observation went beyond marriage and children. It addressed a wider tendency to treat personal opinions as permanent parts of one’s identity. Remaining uncertain, in his view, does not mean avoiding decisions, but leaving room to reconsider them.
Is Nikhil Kamath Against Marriage and Having Children?
Kamath’s remarks did not amount to a permanent rejection of either. He distinguished a present priority from a lifelong decision. He did not announce any change in his relationship status or plans to start a family, and he did not rule either possibility out for good.
His comments challenged the assumption that everyone must have a fixed answer about when, or whether, to marry or have children. They should be read as an expression of uncertainty, not a definitive statement either way.
Freedom and Peace of Mind Are His Current Priorities
While reluctant to predict his long-term personal choices, Kamath was clear about what matters to him at present.
“For now, I am optimising for freedom, peace of mind, and living in a way that gives me the time to pursue different things and simply remain open to new possibilities,” he said.
Rather than organising his life around fixed milestones, he wants the flexibility to pursue different opportunities and interests. He did not suggest that everyone should approach life the same way; his comments described his own outlook.
A Wider Debate About Life Choices
The discussion touched on a broader social conversation about marriage, parenthood and individual freedom. People who choose a different path are often asked to explain whether their decisions are permanent. Kamath’s answer was that he did not know what he would want in the future and did not believe in pretending otherwise.
Who Is Nikhil Kamath?
Nikhil Kamath is an Indian entrepreneur and investor, best known as the co-founder of Zerodha. He has become a prominent voice in discussions about entrepreneurship, investing and personal decision-making.
What It Means for His Future Plans
Kamath did not provide a fixed roadmap for his personal life at the summit. His message was that people should be able to acknowledge what they want today without feeling compelled to guarantee they will want the same things forever. His current priorities are clear; his long-term personal plans remain open.
