Outlook Business Desk
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has once again expressed his views on productivity and long working hours, urging Indian youth to prioritise effort for the nation’s rapid growth.
Murthy referenced China’s 9-9-6 work culture, where employees worked 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week, highlighting its role in the country’s rapid industrial and technological growth.
Murthy sparked widespread debate in 2023 when he suggested Indians work 70 hours a week for nation-building. Now, he expanded on this by pointing to China, a country often seen as a benchmark for rapid industrial and economic growth.
The 9-9-6 rule describes a work schedule once common in Chinese tech firms, where employees worked from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, totaling 72 hours.
The 9-9-6 schedule became common during China’s tech boom, especially at companies like Alibaba and Huawei, but it faced criticism for stress, burnout and poor work-life balance. In 2021, China’s Supreme Court made it illegal, though enforcement has been patchy.
In an interview with Republic TV, Murthy highlighted China’s productivity model, saying young Indians need to work harder if they want the country to advance at a similar speed.
Murthy believes India can catch up with China in manufacturing and other sectors, but only through sustained effort and dedication from all citizens, leaders and professionals across the country.
He noted India’s 6.57% economic growth as reasonable, but highlighted that surpassing China, whose economy is six times larger, demands extraordinary commitment from every part of society.
Murthy stressed that real progress requires individuals to set high personal standards. The combined effort and excellence of every citizen, leader and professional will help India match China’s growth.