Debate Reignites as Narayana Murthy Defends 72-Hour Work Week Vision

Infosys founder and respected industry patriarch N.R. Narayana Murthy has once again sparked an intense nationwide debate after reiterating his belief in a 72-hour work week for Indian professionals. In a recent interview with Republic TV, Murthy reinforced his long-standing argument by drawing parallels with China’s much-discussed “996 rule”, where employees work from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week. He insisted one should first “get a life and then worry about work-life balance”, adding that his decades of experience have consistently shown that “no individual, no community, no country has ever come up without hard work.”

Murthy had initially suggested a 70-hour work week last year, a proposition that split opinions across India Inc. While some leaders echoed his sentiment, many opposed it. Elaborating on his viewpoint, he highlighted that Catamaran’s senior and mid-level staff had travelled across China, from tier 1 hubs to more modest tier 3 towns, staying in basic accommodation to understand the country’s authentic work culture. According to Murthy, their firsthand observations reaffirmed the prevalence of the “996” pattern, amounting to 72 hours of weekly labour. He also pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly works nearly 100 hours a week, calling this a compelling example for India’s youth to emulate through disciplined effort and innovative thinking.

However, Murthy’s remarks have triggered a digital storm, with netizens voicing strong disapproval. Many argue that India’s workforce is already operating at its maximum capacity despite living amid deteriorating infrastructure, relentless traffic congestion, and escalating pollution in major metro cities. Social media users stressed that such work expectations overlook deeper systemic issues.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Sir Narayana Murthy, we should take good examples from this world, not bad. Unclear why your ideas of a modern burnout keep surfacing every two business days, but not a single peep on matters of matching salaries/compensation per the work hour expectations.”

Another user emphasized Murthy’s reference to China, quoting, “‘There is a saying in China, 9, 9, 6. You know what it means? 9 am to 9 pm, 6 days a week. And that is 72 hours of work a week,’ said Narayana Murthy.”

As the debate intensifies, the country finds itself evaluating not just productivity, but also dignity, sustainability, and overall societal well-being. The conversation has morphed into a broader discussion on equitable work culture, fair compensation, and the psychological toll of extreme schedules, issues that resonate deeply across India’s diverse workforce.