Infosys founder Murthy’s ‘9, 9, 6’ remark reignites India’s work-life balance debate

The debate over work-life balance in India has resurfaced after Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy suggested that young professionals adopt longer working hours similar to the “9, 9, 6” routine in China.

In an interview, Murthy said, “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 a 72-hour work week,” and added that young Indians should follow the same routine.

Murthy’s remarks sparked immediate pushback from employees across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit.

Many pointed to long commutes, rising expenses, uneven salaries, and a culture of after-hours communication, arguing that extending work hours is not the solution for a system that already stretches people beyond their limits.

The reaction highlights how clearly the workforce understands its boundaries and priorities.

Long hours, weekend emails, and late-night calls have become standard, but the impact on energy levels, focus, and motivation is significant.

Indeed’s India Work-Life Balance Survey 2024 found that 88% of employees receive work-related messages outside office hours, while 85% are contacted during sick leave or holidays.

Over half of respondents identified burnout as a major consequence of these blurred boundaries.

International Labour Organisation data from early 2025 shows Indian employees work an average of 46.7 hours per week, with more than half clocking over 49 hours.

These figures exceed working hours in Western Europe and are linked to mental health concerns, reduced family time, and long-term well-being challenges.

Murthy’s comments reignited a long-standing conversation about the pressure on India’s workforce and the limits of extended workweeks.

Social media responses emphasized that many workers are already overextended, with large portions of their day consumed by commuting and heavy workloads.

Users compared India’s work culture with regions where work is structured around life rather than life revolving around work, underscoring the gap between corporate expectations and employees’ lived experiences.

This episode demonstrates that while the conversation about discipline and dedication continues, the Indian workforce is increasingly vocal about sustainable work practices and the need for meaningful boundaries between professional and personal life.