Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy Calls for Indian Youth to Embrace 70-Hour Workweeks for Global Competitiveness

Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, has suggested that India’s work culture needs a transformation, with young individuals in the country being urged to commit to working 70 hours per week in order to enhance India’s global competitiveness. In a conversation on 3one4 Capital’s podcast “The Record” with Mohandas Pai, Murthy emphasized the necessity to boost productivity and address governmental inefficiencies in India.

He stressed the importance of raising work efficiency and tackling corruption within the government. He commented that unless these bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies are minimized, India won’t be able to compete with nations that have made significant advancements. He urged young Indians to think of their country and be willing to dedicate 70 hours per week to work.

Drawing a parallel with post-World War II work practices in Germany and Japan, Murthy highlighted that these nations required their citizens to work extra hours for a specified period to rebuild their economies. He called for discipline, improved work productivity, and a cultural shift towards being determined, disciplined, and hardworking individuals.

Narayana Murthy’s comments have prompted diverse reactions on social media. Bhavish Aggarwal, the CEO of Ola, expressed his agreement with Murthy’s perspective, advocating for a strong commitment to building the nation in a single generation. In contrast, Ronnie Screwvala, the founder of upGrad, disagreed with the idea of longer working hours, asserting that productivity improvement should focus on upskilling, fostering a positive work environment, and ensuring fair compensation for quality work rather than just working extended hours.