Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has once again sparked debate with his remarks on work culture, suggesting that India’s youth may need to work longer hours to compete effectively with developed nations. His comments on a potential 70-hour workweek drew sharp criticism from employees, industry observers, and labor rights advocates, with many questioning the feasibility, ethics, and impact on mental health. Social media and professional circles reacted strongly, highlighting concerns about burnout and work-life balance.
Defending his stance, Murthy emphasized that sustained hard work is vital for India to enhance productivity and compete with global economic powerhouses. He referred to China’s former 996 work culture—working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—as an illustrative case study of how nations can drive workforce productivity, though he did not explicitly advocate replicating the system in India. Murthy argued that disciplined work habits are necessary for India’s youth to build strong careers and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth.
The 996 system, once common in China’s tech and e-commerce sectors, was credited with enabling rapid expansion for companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and JD.com. However, the system faced severe backlash due to employee burnout, health issues, and even tragic incidents, prompting China’s Supreme People’s Court in 2021 to declare the practice illegal. Despite being officially banned, high-pressure work cultures continue to exist in competitive industries, fueled by corporate demands and economic uncertainty.
Murthy’s remarks have reignited discussions in India about workplace expectations, productivity, and employee welfare. He urged the youth to prioritize career-building in the initial stages of their professional lives and consider work-life balance later. Experts say his comments underline the ongoing debate on balancing ambition, national competitiveness, and employee well-being in India’s fast-growing tech and startup ecosystem.