New Delhi: Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has reignited the debate on work ethics by citing China’s controversial “9-9-6” work model as an example for India’s youth.
Speaking in a recent interview, Murthy stressed that if India aspires to match China’s economic might, its workforce must embrace longer working hours and disciplined effort.
The 9-9-6 model, once popular among Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Huawei, requires employees to work from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week — amounting to a gruelling 72-hour workweek. Advocates argue that this culture helped China achieve rapid growth and global competitiveness, particularly during its tech boom. Critics, however, highlight its toll on mental health and lifestyle, leading to stress and burnout.
Although China’s Supreme Court declared the practice illegal in 2021, reports suggest it persists informally in several sectors. Murthy believes India must draw lessons from such intensity to accelerate progress. “China’s economy is nearly six times larger than ours. If we want to catch up, every section of society must contribute with discipline and extraordinary effort,” he said.
Murthy’s remarks echo his earlier suggestion that young Indians should work 70 hours a week — a statement that sparked widespread debate. His latest comments underline the urgency of raising productivity benchmarks to achieve global competitiveness.