Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy, widely known as Narayana Murthy, is the co-founder of Infosys, one of India’s largest and most influential IT services companies. Born on August 20, 1946, in Karnataka, Murthy is regarded as the father of the Indian IT sector, having played a crucial role in shaping India’s software and outsourcing industry on a global scale.
Early Life & Education
Murthy was born in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, and pursued his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Engineering, Mysore. Later, he completed his Master’s in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in 1969.
His early career saw him working at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad as a Chief Systems Programmer and later at Patni Computer Systems in Pune.
Founding Infosys & The Growth Story
In 1981, Murthy co-founded Infosys along with six other engineers with an initial capital of ₹10,000, which was borrowed from his wife, Sudha Murthy. The company was established with the vision of building a globally competitive IT services firm that would put India on the map for software development and outsourcing.
Under Murthy’s leadership, Infosys pioneered the Global Delivery Model, a strategy that transformed India into a global IT outsourcing hub. Infosys was among the first Indian companies to:
• List on NASDAQ (1999), making it a global IT powerhouse.
• Introduce employee stock options (ESOPs), which created several first-generation Indian millionaires.
• Set high corporate governance standards, making Infosys one of the most trusted IT companies globally.
Today, Infosys has over 300,000 employees and operates in 50+ countries, with revenues exceeding $18 billion (FY 2023-24).
Core Values & Leadership Style
Murthy is known for his ethical business practices, corporate governance, and people-first approach. His leadership is guided by principles of:
• Integrity & Transparency – Advocated for strong corporate governance in India.
• Customer-Centric Approach – Focused on delivering high-quality IT services.
• Empowerment & Inclusivity – Introduced ESOPs, benefiting Infosys employees.
• Innovation & Excellence – Helped India emerge as a leader in the IT services sector.
Awards & Recognitions
- Padma Vibhushan (2008) – India’s second-highest civilian award.
- Padma Shri (2000) – For his contributions to India’s IT sector.
- Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year (2003).
- Named among Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” (2003 & 2012).
Legacy & Influence
Narayana Murthy stepped down as CEO of Infosys in 2002 but continued as Chairman and later served as Executive Chairman (2013-2014). He remains a guiding figure in India’s IT and startup ecosystem, mentoring young entrepreneurs and advocating for business ethics.
His philosophy of compassionate capitalism and wealth creation through innovation has inspired countless Indian entrepreneurs and IT professionals. Today, Infosys stands as a symbol of India’s global IT dominance, thanks to his vision and leadership.
Murthy’s journey from a ₹10,000 startup to a multi-billion-dollar empire remains one of the most inspiring stories in India’s entrepreneurial history!
