Temple Wearable Technology Venture Sparks Debate with Body Fat Thresholds for Applicants

February 27, 2026

Deepinder Goyal, founder of Temple, a new wearable technology venture, has generated significant debate online after announcing specific body fat thresholds for applicants. According to the recruitment announcement, male applicants must have a body fat percentage below 16% and female applicants below 26%.

Critics Argue Unconventional Hiring Approach

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Shravan Tickoo, founder and chief executive of Rethink Systems, drew attention to the criteria in a post on LinkedIn. Tickoo questioned whether such conditions are compatible with Indian employment regulations and suggested that imposing physical criteria not directly linked to job performance could be viewed as discriminatory.

Supporters Defend Alignment with Company Mission

Some social media users indicated support for Goyal's position, arguing that the nature of Temple's product, a wearable device aimed at elite performance athletes, justified the emphasis on physical fitness. However, others maintained that hiring decisions based on body composition raise ethical and legal concerns.

Recruitment Standards

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According to Temple's recruitment announcement, the company is looking for people who are "obsessive" about fitness and are willing to commit to achieving a body fat percentage below 16% for males and 26% for females within three months, with the option to remain on probation until the requirement is met.