Anubhav Jain, the co-founder and CEO of the fintech company Rupifi, has spoken out in support of Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s controversial call for Indians to adopt a 72-hour work week based on China’s “9-9-6” system.
In a LinkedIn post, Jain said India needs more of this work culture today. He argued that success isn’t just about working late for startups; it’s about commitment, hard work, and contributing to national development, not just personal gain.
The “9-9-6” system means working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week, which adds up to 72 hours per week. Murthy has praised this model, saying Indians must be ready to work harder if the country is to grow rapidly.
Jain claimed that this very work ethic is what “pushed China” to become a global economic powerhouse. He said long hours played a huge role in China’s rise, and India must adopt a similar mindset to match its ambition.
To back his point, Jain pointed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that he reportedly works about 100 hours a week. Jain suggested that this kind of dedication should set the standard for the country.
On the issue of work-life balance, Jain made a bold claim: once the country grows, balance will follow. He argued that young people should focus on nation-building now, and “work-life quality” will improve later as India progresses.
Context & Criticism:
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Murthy’s remarks come amid a long-running debate: he had previously called for a 70-hour work week and now backs the 72-hour “9-9-6” model.
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Critics point out that this 9-9-6 work schedule was declared illegal in China in 2021, largely because of concerns over worker health, burnout, and work-life imbalance.
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Some business leaders have defended Murthy’s stance, saying such intense work hours should be voluntary and perhaps limited to entrepreneurs or high-performance teams, not the entire workforce.