Bengaluru, November 20, 2025 – Anubhav Jain, co-founder and CEO of Rupifi, a Bengaluru-based B2B digital finance platform, has publicly voiced his support for Narayana Murthy's recent call for India to adopt a work culture akin to China's "9-9-6" system. Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, has been advocating for young Indians to work 70 hours a week to boost the nation's economic growth.
Jain took to LinkedIn on Tuesday to express his agreement with Murthy, stating that India "needs more 9-9-6 today". The "9-9-6" system refers to working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week, a practice that has been common in some Chinese technology firms. While this system equates to a 72-hour workweek, it has faced criticism for its intensity and potential negative impacts on health and work-life balance. The Chinese Supreme Court deemed the practice illegal in 2021.
Jain framed these extended work hours as a necessary commitment to nation-building, rather than simply glorifying late nights or startup hustle. He emphasized that India needs individuals who are willing to work harder, push boundaries, and contribute meaningfully to the country's economic and social progress. According to Jain, the focus should be on commitment and productivity, not just the optics of workplace culture.
Murthy's original statement, made in an interview with Republic TV, urged young Indians to prioritize hard work over work-life balance, suggesting that they should "get a life and then worry about work-life balance". He drew a parallel between India and China, stating that China's rapid economic growth was fueled by its adoption of the 9-9-6 work ethic. Murthy argued that India must also commit to longer hours if it wants to compete on a global scale. He also pointed out observations made by teams from his investment firm, Catamaran, who traveled across Chinese cities to study real workplace behavior, stating that the essence of the 9-9-6 culture still remains. Murthy has also claimed that the Prime Minister works close to 100 hours a week, calling it an example of leadership and discipline for the youth to follow.
Jain echoed Murthy's sentiments, asserting that 72-hour workweeks played a significant role in China's economic advancement and that India requires a similar shift in mindset. He further argued that the responsibility for national progress falls on all Indians, not just entrepreneurs, and that workers across various sectors should be prepared to dedicate more time and effort to help India achieve its ambitions.
The debate around work-life balance and the necessity of long working hours has been ongoing, with many questioning the sustainability and well-being of employees under such demanding schedules. Critics of the 9-9-6 system highlight the potential for burnout, stress, and negative impacts on personal relationships and overall health. Some also argue that productivity is not solely dependent on the number of hours worked but also on factors such as efficiency, technology, and employee well-being. Some have suggested that employees should be fairly compensated for the additional working hours.
