N. R. Narayana Murthy
Born 1946 · Age 80
Indian billionaire entrepreneur; founder and longtime leader of Infosys; influential leader in building India's IT outsourcing industry; philanthropist and public intellectual.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka
Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy was born into a middle-class Deshastha Madhva Brahmin family in Sidlaghatta (then Kingdom of Mysore, British India).
Graduated BE, National Institute of Engineering, Mysuru
Completed bachelor's degree in electrical engineering (University of Mysore / National Institute of Engineering, Mysore).
Received MTech from IIT Kanpur
Completed master's degree (MTech) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
Joined IIM Ahmedabad as research associate / systems programmer
Began work at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad as a research associate and later chief systems programmer; worked on India's first time-sharing computer system.
Designed BASIC interpreter / time-sharing work at IIM-A
Designed and implemented a BASIC interpreter and contributed to a time-sharing computer system; work included project for Electronics Corporation of India Limited.
Worked in Paris on Charles de Gaulle airport project (1970s)
During the 1970s worked in Paris and helped design an operating system for handling air cargo at Charles de Gaulle Airport (Britannica account).
Founded Softronics (first entrepreneurial venture)
Started a small company named Softronics; the venture failed after about a year and a half.
Joined Patni Computer Systems, Pune
After Softronics folded, Murthy joined Patni Computer Systems in Pune to continue his software career.
Arrested and expelled during Europe trip – turning point
Was arrested and expelled (during a trip near the Yugoslav–Bulgarian border in the communist-era) — an experience he later cited as changing his political/economic outlook.
Married Sudha Murty
Married Sudha Murty, educator, author and philanthropist; Sudha later provided the initial capital for Infosys and chaired Infosys Foundation.
Conceptualised Global Delivery Model (GDM)
Articulated and implemented the Global Delivery Model for offshore software services delivery from India; model became industry standard.
Founded Infosys with six software professionals
Co-founded Infosys in Pune (later Bengaluru) with six co-founders. Initial capital investment was Rs 10,000 provided by his wife Sudha Murty.
Became CEO of Infosys
Assumed the role of chief executive officer of Infosys at its founding; led the company through its formative decades.
Recognized by BusinessWeek as a 'Star of Asia' (1998–2000)
Named among BusinessWeek's 'Stars of Asia' for three consecutive years 1998–2000.
Infosys listed on Nasdaq (first Indian company on US exchange)
Infosys became the first Indian company to list on an American stock exchange (Nasdaq), a major corporate milestone.
Included in Asiaweek Power 50 / global recognition
Named among Asia's most powerful people by Asiaweek; continued high international recognition around the turn of the millennium.
Awarded Padma Shri (Government of India)
Received the Padma Shri, one of India's civilian honours (year 2000).
Infosys becomes a major global IT exporter (milestone)
By 2000 Infosys had established itself as a major exporter of IT services to the US and global clients — a driver of Murthy's stature.
Stepped down as CEO; Nandan Nilekani succeeded him
After 21 years as CEO (1981–2002), Murthy handed over the CEO role to co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
Became Chairman of Infosys board
Assumed the chairman position of Infosys's board after stepping down as CEO (Wikipedia lists chairmanship beginning 2002).
Named IET Honorary Fellow
Awarded Honorary Fellowship by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year
Named World Entrepreneur Of The Year by Ernst & Young in 2003 (first Indian winner).
Infosys reported $1.06B annual revenue
In April 2004 Murthy announced Infosys posted $1.06 billion in annual revenue — a 33% increase over the previous fiscal year.
Co-chaired World Economic Forum, Davos
Co-chaired the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, a high-profile international engagement.
Described as 'father of the Indian IT sector' by Time / CNBC
Media outlets including Time and CNBC described Murthy as the 'father of the Indian IT sector' for his role in building outsourcing from India.
Infosys milestone: ~70,000 employees and ~$3B revenue (Britannica)
By the time Murthy 'retired' (Britannica account), Infosys had about 70,000 employees and roughly $3 billion in annual revenue.
Received honorary degree from Lancaster University
Awarded an honorary degree from Lancaster University (2007).
Received CBE (Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire)
Honoured by the UK as an Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2007).
Received IEEE Ernst Weber Engineering Leadership Recognition
Awarded the IEEE Ernst Weber Engineering Leadership Recognition.
Awarded Padma Vibhushan and Legion of Honour (France)
Received India's Padma Vibhushan (2008) and France's Officer of the Legion of Honour (2008).
Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship; Honoris Causa (SMVDU)
Received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship and an honorary Doctorate of Science from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.
Daughter Akshata Murty married Rishi Sunak
Akshata Murty married British-Indian politician Rishi Sunak (2009), later UK Prime Minister 2022–2024.
Published 'A Better India, A Better World'
Authored and published the book 'A Better India, A Better World' (Penguin/Allen Lane, 2009).
IEEE Honorary Membership
Awarded IEEE Honorary Membership (2010).
Published 'A Clear Blue Sky'
Published 'A Clear Blue Sky: Stories and Poems on Conflict and Hope' (Puffin Books, 2010).
Invested in SKS Microfinance with Vinod Khosla
Made a publicised investment in SKS Microfinance along with venture capitalist Vinod Khosla (2010).
Served on corporate boards (HSBC, Unilever, DBS, ICICI, NDTV)
Served as an independent director or board member of multiple global and Indian firms including HSBC; also served on boards of DBS Bank, Unilever, ICICI and NDTV (tenures varied).
NDTV Indian of the Year – Icon of India (2011)
Recognised as 'Icon of India' by NDTV in 2011.
Appointed Chairman, Governing Board of PHFI
Named to chair the Governing Board of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI).
Stepped down from Infosys board; became Chairman Emeritus
In August 2011 Murthy stepped down from the Infosys board and took the ceremonial title Chairman Emeritus.
Listed by Fortune among 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time
Fortune magazine included Murthy among the '12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time' (2012).
Awarded Hoover Medal
Received the Hoover Medal (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) in 2012.
Named Philanthropist of the Year / Sayaji Ratna / NDTV recognitions
In 2013 received multiple honors: Philanthropist of the Year (Asian Awards), Sayaji Ratna Award, and named among 25 Greatest Global Indian Living Legends by NDTV.
Set up / Trustee roles: Infosys Prize, Institute for Advanced Study, Rhodes Trust
Served as trustee of the Infosys Prize, trustee of the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton), and trustee of the Rhodes Trust; active in philanthropic and academic governance.
Returned as Executive Chairman of Infosys
Appointed Executive Chairman of Infosys's board in June 2013 for a reported five-year period to stabilise leadership.
Son Rohan Murthy joined Infosys as executive assistant
Rohan Murthy joined Infosys as an executive assistant to his father (June 2013); he later left to found Soroco in 2014.
Stood down as Executive Chairman; became non-executive Chairman then Chairman Emeritus (Oct 2014)
In June 2014 Murthy stepped down as Executive Chairman, was non-executive chairman until October 2014 when he took the Chairman Emeritus title again.
Rohan Murthy left Infosys to found Soroco
Rohan Murthy left his role at Infosys (2014) and founded his own company, Soroco.
Joined strategic advisory board of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
Became a member of the strategic board advising the law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas on strategy, policy and governance (reported 2015).
Published 'The Wit and Wisdom of Narayana Murthy'
A collection of Murthy's quotes and teachings was published in 2016 (Hay House).
Participated in FXC as Board Member
Listed participation on FXC board (2016).
Raised corporate governance concerns at Infosys
Publicly raised concerns about alleged governance lapses at Infosys; the company denied the claims and there was a high-profile board dispute.
Received IEEE Founders Medal and listed in Asian Scientist 100
Received the IEEE Founders Medal (Founders Medal / Founders Medal-related Founders Medal reported by Infosys) and was listed in Asian Scientist 100.
Elected Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (reported by Infosys profile).
Foreign member, US National Academy of Engineering (reported)
Recognised as a foreign member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (listed on Infosys profile; year reported by Infosys site).
Kempegowda Award (BBMP)
Received the Kempegowda Award from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in 2022.
India Lifetime Achievement Award (Patrick J. McGovern Awards)
Honoured with India Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the 2024 Patrick J. McGovern Awards (Chiratae Ventures).
Forbes net worth estimate: US$5.0 billion
Forbes estimated Narayana Murthy's net worth at US$5.0 billion as of January 2025.
Public controversy over suggestion to increase working hours
In early 2025 Murthy faced backlash for suggesting working hours be increased to 70 hours to boost India's productivity; widely reported and debated.
Key Achievement Ages
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