Anubhav Jain, the co-founder and CEO of B2B digital financing platform Rupifi, has publicly expressed support for Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's recent appeal for young Indians to embrace longer working hours. Jain stated that India needs more 9-9-6 today if the country wants to accelerate its economic growth trajectory.
The LinkedIn Endorsement
In a LinkedIn post published on Tuesday, Jain presented extended workweeks as a commitment to nation-building rather than simply glorifying hustle culture. The Rupifi CEO argued that India requires people willing to work harder, push boundaries and contribute meaningfully to the country's progress. He emphasized that the focus should be on productivity and intent rather than optics in the ongoing debate about work culture.
Jain co-founded the Bengaluru-based Rupifi in 2018 along with Jawaid Iqbal and Ankit Singh. His comments come amid renewed national discussion about work-life balance sparked by Narayana Murthy's recent statements.
China's 9-9-6 Model and Global Context
Murthy had earlier reignited the work culture debate during an interview with Republic TV, where he suggested that India's youth should prioritize hard work over comfort. The Infosys founder pointed to China's rapid economic ascent as being powered by the 9-9-6 routine - referring to a work schedule from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week.
Echoing Murthy's sentiment, Jain wrote that longer working hours played a significant role in China's economic transformation and that India needs a comparable shift in attitude to stay globally competitive. He added that responsibility for national development lies with everyone - not only founders - and that professionals across sectors should be prepared to contribute more time and effort.
The Controversial Side of 9-9-6
Despite the endorsement from business leaders, the 9-9-6 model has faced substantial criticism both in China and internationally. The system, popular among Chinese tech companies, has been widely condemned by labour groups and rights activists for its demanding and often unsafe work conditions.
In a significant legal development, China's Supreme People's Court ruled in 2021 that 12-hour workdays are illegal. This decision came following rising concerns over worker deaths and stress-related suicides linked to extreme schedules. Labour organisations and researchers have described the 9-9-6 system as a form of modern-day slavery, arguing that many companies impose harsh, unsustainable hours on employees.
Chinese labour law officially mandates an eight-hour workday across six days, capped at 44 hours per week. Overtime is limited to 36 hours monthly and must be properly compensated. The 2021 ruling reinforced these protections, marking a significant legal victory for workers - even as some companies continue to implement the 9-9-6 model informally.
The debate continues to polarize opinions in India, with business leaders advocating for increased work hours to boost economic competitiveness, while others raise concerns about worker welfare and sustainable employment practices.
