Narayana Murthy
Born 1946 · Age 79
Indian software entrepreneur, co-founder of Infosys, long-time chairman/CEO/chief mentor; key figure in development of India's IT outsourcing industry; noted philanthropist and board member of multiple global organizations.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka
Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy born in Sidlaghatta (then Kingdom of Mysore), Karnataka, India; Kannada-speaking middle-class Deshastha Madhva Brahmin family.
Graduated BE, National Institute of Engineering (Mysuru)
Completed bachelor's degree in electrical engineering (University of Mysore / National Institute of Engineering).
Received MTech from IIT Kanpur
Completed master's degree at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
Joined IIM Ahmedabad as research associate / chief systems programmer
Worked as a research associate and later chief systems programmer; worked on India's first time-sharing computer system and designed a BASIC interpreter for Electronics Corporation of India Ltd.
Worked in Paris on airline cargo OS (1970s)
During the 1970s Murthy worked in Paris, helping design an operating system for handling air cargo at Charles de Gaulle Airport (reported by Britannica).
Arrested/expelled during Europe trip, ideological turning point
Murthy reports being arrested and expelled in 1974 near the Yugoslav–Bulgarian border; he says the experience changed his political outlook toward 'compassionate capitalism'.
Founded Softronics (first entrepreneurial venture)
Started a company named Softronics after IIM Ahmedabad; the company failed after about a year and a half.
Softronics folds after ~1.5 years
Softronics did not succeed and was wound down after roughly eighteen months.
Joined Patni Computer Systems (Pune)
Joined Patni Computer Systems in Pune (role often cited as General Manager / senior technologist in later accounts).
Married Sudha Murty
Married Sudha Murty (educator, author, philanthropist) — Sudha later became chairperson of Infosys Foundation.
Became CEO of Infosys
Served as chief executive officer of Infosys from its founding (1981).
Founded Infosys with six colleagues
Co-founded Infosys Technologies Ltd in 1981 with six software professionals (N. R. Narayana Murthy as one of the founders); initial capital investment of Rs 10,000 provided by his wife Sudha Murty.
Kurt Salmon joint venture with Infosys fails
Infosys experienced setbacks including the collapse of a joint venture with Kurt Salmon Associates (reported as part of early challenges before the 1990s growth).
Infosys lists on NASDAQ (first Indian company on a U.S. exchange)
Infosys became the first Indian company to be listed on an American stock exchange (NASDAQ) in 1999.
Awarded Padma Shri (Government of India)
Received the Padma Shri, one of India's civilian honors, in 2000.
Stepped down as CEO; succeeded by Nandan Nilekani
After 21 years as CEO (1981–2002), Murthy handed over the CEO role to co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
Became Chairman of Infosys board
Appointed chairman of the board in 2002 (later described variously as 2002–2006 chairman; also served as chief mentor afterwards).
BusinessWeek 'Stars of Asia' recognition (1998–2000 mention consolidated)
BusinessWeek named him one of its 'Stars of Asia' for three consecutive years (1998–2000); notable recognition during Infosys growth phase.
Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year
Named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2003 (first Indian winner).
Infosys posts $1.06 billion annual revenue
In April 2004 Infosys reported $1.06 billion in annual revenue (33% increase over previous fiscal year).
Ranked among The Economist's 10 most-admired global business leaders
The Economist ranked Murthy among the 10 most-admired global business leaders (reported 2005).
Co-chaired World Economic Forum (Davos)
Co-chaired the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2005.
Stepped down as Chairman; described as retirement (2006)
Around 2006 Murthy stepped back from an active chairman role (accounts differ on timing); contemporaneous reports cite Infosys had ~70,000 employees and ~$3B revenue by this general period.
Received IEEE Ernst Weber Engineering Leadership Recognition & CBE & Honorary Degree (Lancaster)
In 2007 Murthy received multiple honours including IEEE Ernst Weber award, Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and an honorary degree from Lancaster University.
Described by Time and CNBC as 'father of the Indian IT sector'
Media recognition: Time magazine and CNBC described Murthy as 'father of the Indian IT sector' for his contributions to outsourcing and industry-building (Time article 2007; CNBC pieces referenced).
Awarded Padma Vibhushan and Officer of the Legion of Honour (France)
Received India's Padma Vibhushan (2008) and France's Legion of Honour (Officer) in 2008.
Woodrow Wilson Award; Honorary D.Sc. (SMVDU)
Received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship and an honorary Doctorate of Science (Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University) in 2009.
Daughter Akshata Murty married Rishi Sunak
Akshata Murty married British-Indian politician Rishi Sunak in 2009 (Sunak later became UK Prime Minister 2022–2024).
Published 'A Better India, A Better World'
Author of the book 'A Better India, A Better World' (Penguin Books India), published in 2009.
IEEE Honorary Membership
Received IEEE Honorary Membership in 2010.
Listed on many advisory/board positions (trustee/advisory roles consolidated)
Served/serves on boards and advisory councils: United Nations Foundation, Ford Foundation, trustee of Infosys Prize, trustee Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton), Rhodes Trust, advisory boards of Cornell, INSEAD, ESSEC, Asian Institute of Management, and others (dates span 2000s–2010s).
Investment in SKS Microfinance (with Vinod Khosla)
Murthy made an investment in SKS Microfinance alongside VC Vinod Khosla (reported in 2010); size not specified in this text.
Published 'A Clear Blue Sky'
Published 'A Clear Blue Sky: Stories and Poems on Conflict and Hope' (2010).
Retired from Infosys board and became Chairman Emeritus
In August 2011 Murthy stepped down from the board and was given the title Chairman Emeritus.
Named among Fortune's '12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time'
Fortune magazine listed Murthy among the 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time (reported 2012).
Named Philanthropist of the Year & other honours (2013)
Received awards in 2013 including The Asian Awards Philanthropist of the Year and Sayaji Ratna Award; listed among NDTV's 25 Greatest Global Indian Living Legends (2013).
Returned as Executive Chairman of Infosys (5-year term)
Appointed Executive Chairman of the Infosys board in June 2013 (for a period reported as five years); returned to active leadership during a period of company difficulty.
Son Rohan Murty joined Infosys as executive assistant
Rohan Murty joined Infosys in June 2013 as an executive assistant to his father (Murthy).
Stood down as Executive Chairman; became Non-Executive Chairman and then Chairman Emeritus (Oct 2014)
In June 2014 Murthy stood down as Executive Chairman, served as Non-Executive Chairman and in October 2014 again assumed the title Chairman Emeritus.
Son Rohan Murty left Infosys to found Soroco
Rohan Murty left Infosys in 2014 to start his own company, Soroco (digital transformation company).
Participated in FXC as Board Member
In 2016 Murthy participated in FXC as a board member (as reported).
Published 'The Wit and Wisdom of Narayana Murthy'
Collection 'The Wit and Wisdom of Narayana Murthy' published in 2016 (Hay House).
Raised governance concerns at Infosys
Murthy publicly raised issues regarding alleged corporate governance lapses at Infosys in 2017; the company denied the claims.
Received IEEE Founders Medal & listed in Asian Scientist 100
Received awards/honours including the Founders Medal (IEEE/associated) and inclusion in Asian Scientist 100 (2018).
Elected Foreign Member of the US National Academy of Engineering / AAAS membership noted
Infosys profile and other sources note Murthy was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences / foreign member of US NAE around 2019.
Kempegowda Award (BBMP)
Received the Kempegowda Award from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike in 2022.
India Lifetime Achievement Award (Patrick J. McGovern Awards)
Honoured with the India Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the 2024 Patrick J. McGovern Awards by Chiratae Ventures.
Controversial suggestion for 70-hour workweek
In early January 2025 Murthy faced backlash after suggesting youngsters should work up to 70 hours per week to increase India's productivity; widely reported and debated.
Key Achievement Ages
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