Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy reignited the debate on India’s work culture by endorsing a 72-hour workweek, citing China’s “9-9-6” schedule, working 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week, as a discipline model that drove its rapid economic growth.
Speaking in an interview in November 2025, Murthy stressed that India needs extraordinary effort and higher personal benchmarks to compete globally. However, he acknowledged that China’s Supreme People’s Court ruled the 9-9-6 schedule illegal in 2021 after concerns of worker deaths from excessive overtime.
Murthy emphasised that steady and focused effort, rather than extreme hours, is key for India’s economic progress.
What is the 9-9-6 Rule?
The “9-9-6” work schedule refers to a routine where employees work from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week, resulting in a 72-hour workweek. This practice became common in China’s tech industry and startups, embraced by firms like Alibaba and Huawei during their rapid growth phases.
Although it has been credited with contributing to China’s economic rise, the 9-9-6 culture has faced severe criticism for causing burnout, health problems, and poor work-life balance. In 2021, China’s Supreme People’s Court declared the 9-9-6 routine illegal, stating it violates labour laws capping workweeks at 44 hours.
Despite official rulings, enforcement is inconsistent, and many employees in some sectors still work excessively long hours under similar schedules.
Health Impact of Extremely Long Workweeks
Working 70+ hours a week over long periods can lead to serious physical and mental health consequences. Studies link chronic overwork to high stress, sleep deprivation, weakened immunity, digestive issues, anxiety, and long-term risks such as heart disease and hypertension.
It may also reduce productivity, impair decision-making, and lead to burnout, making employees less efficient despite working more hours. Maintaining rest, boundaries, and recovery time is essential to sustain performance and well-being.
Murthy’s Vision for India’s Growth
Murthy argued that India, with its pool of talent and ideas, must back both with “extraordinary action” from everyone, citizens, bureaucrats, politicians, and corporate leaders. He described India’s 6.57% economic growth as reasonable but urged for a “strong stitch and steady pace” to catch up with China, whose economy is about six times larger.
Murthy highlighted the example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reportedly intense work ethic, encouraging young Indians to “get a life and then worry about work-life balance,” focusing first on career growth and nation-building.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While discipline and commitment are vital for progress, The Logical Indian emphasises that sustainable growth must balance productivity with worker wellbeing.
Unregulated long hours risk burnout, mental health issues, and social inequality, especially affecting women who bear disproportionate household responsibilities. India’s growth story must integrate ethical work environments that nurture kindness, empathy, and harmony.
News In Q&A
1. Who is Narayana Murthy and what did he say about work culture?
Narayana Murthy is the co-founder of Infosys, a leading Indian tech company. In November 2025, he advocated for a 72-hour workweek inspired by China’s “9-9-6” culture, urging Indian youth to adopt discipline and extraordinary effort to boost economic growth.
2. What exactly is China’s 9-9-6 work model?
The 9-9-6 schedule means working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week—a 72-hour workweek. It became common in China’s tech sector but was ruled illegal by China’s Supreme People’s Court in 2021 due to labor law violations and health risks linked to excessive overtime.
3. Why is Murthy’s stance controversial in India?
Critics argue that India already has long work hours in many sectors without adequate overtime pay or worker protections. They warn that pushing for even longer hours risks burnout, health problems, low productivity, and worsens gender inequalities as unpaid care burdens fall mostly on women.
4. How do experts and companies like Infosys respond to this debate?
HR experts and legal analysts stress adherence to labour laws and promote productivity over hours worked. Infosys encourages a work-life balance, monitoring to prevent overtime abuse. Business leaders see discipline as important but highlight the need for systemic improvements in infrastructure, skill-building, and worker welfare.
5. What broader economic challenge does this debate reflect?
Murthy’s remarks highlight the challenge India faces in catching up economically with China. While discipline and hard work are vital, India also needs reforms that balance growth ambitions with sustainability, fairness, and mental wellbeing to harness its demographic advantage effectively.
