According to business emails dated April 29, Infosys has fired an additional 195 trainees out of a total of 680 due to internal assessment failures. Since February, the number of impacted trainees has increased to almost 800.
This is the fourth round of exits at the Bengaluru-based software behemoth. About 150 of the affected individuals have signed up for outplacement services, while about 250 have enrolled in upskilling programmes offered by NIIT and UpGrad.
Infosys has partnered with NIIT for IT training and UpGrad for BPM training. More than 300 trainees were laid off under similar conditions in February, followed by 30 to 35 in March, while the second-largest IT services company in India laid off roughly 240 on April 18. Through NIIT and UpGrad, Infosys is providing free upskilling classes to those who are impacted.
Revenue Growth Just 0 to 3% this Fiscal
The layoffs occur while Infosys manages a low level of demand. For the upcoming fiscal year, the company has projected revenue growth of only 0% to 3%, highlighting the ongoing unpredictability in its primary markets.
Despite the extra preparation time, doubt-clearing sessions, many mock assessments, and three attempts, trainees have not met the qualifying criteria in the “Generic foundation training programme”, according to the findings of trainees’ final assessment attempt.
The email that was sent on April 29 said, “As a result, you will not be able to continue your journey for the apprenticeship programme,” which was similar to the communication that was received earlier in the month.
The impacted trainees, who were onboarded after a delay of more than 2.5 years, are being offered other career paths by the software company, including 12 weeks of training for possible roles in Infosys Business Process Management (BPM). Furthermore, Infosys announced that it will pay for the training of anybody who chooses to enrol in the BPM course.
Perks Offered to Exiting Trainees
For the impacted trainees, the company is also providing a letter of release and a one-month ex gratia payment. The company will provide transportation from Mysuru to Bangalore and a normal travel stipend to their hometown for those who choose not to pursue a career in BPM.
Trainees can stay at the Employee Care Centre in Mysore till the day of their departure if necessary.
Clearance from Karnataka Labour Department
Based on the documentation gathered, the Karnataka Labour Department cleared Infosys on February 27 of any labour law infractions pertaining to trainees’ departure. They were all merely trainees, according to a media report that cited a source, and some of them had three months of training.
Since this cannot be considered a layoff, these labour laws do not apply. Only when there is regular employment does a layoff apply. An employer-employee relationship does not exist. They weren’t workers; they were all apprentice trainees.
Following rumours of trainee layoffs, representatives from Karnataka’s Labour Department previously visited Infosys’ campuses in Bengaluru and Mysuru to evaluate the situation.
Prior to this, the Union Labour Ministry sent a letter instructing the Karnataka Labour Commissioner and Labour Secretary to look into the situation and take immediate measures to settle the conflict.
Narayana Murthy had caught the headlines after he suggested a 70-hour work week for youngsters to enhance the country’s productivity.
Keeping that debate aside, let’s make this a reason to dive into the life of Narayana Murthy, a visionary leader and the founder of Infosys, a name that resonates with the dynamic world of technology and business.
Narayana Murthy’s life story is a testament to the power of determination, entrepreneurship, and the impact of an individual’s dream on an entire industry. Let us explore his inspiring journey, his role in the IT revolution, and his contributions to society, all of which have made him an iconic figure in both business and philanthropy.
In this StartupTalky story, let us learn about Narayana Murthy’s success story, life history, personal life, education, philanthropy, controversies attached to him, and more.
Born in Sidlaghatta, a town in the Mysore region of Karnataka, Mr. Narayana Murthy hails from a humble Kannada family belonging to the middle class. His educational journey began with his schooling, and after completing his early education, he chose to pursue his undergraduate studies at the prestigious National Institute of Engineering, where he specialized in Electrical Engineering and finished his graduation in the year 1967.
Aspiring for further specialization, Mr. Murthy’s quest for knowledge led him to seek further academic excellence. In 1969, he made his way to the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, where he delved deeper into his chosen field of study and earned a Master’s degree in 1969, solidifying his commitment to advancing his knowledge and skills in electrical engineering.
After finishing his education, Narayana Murthy kicked off his career as a Research Associate at IIM Ahmedabad. His journey in the professional world was like climbing a ladder, and he soon became the Chief Systems Programmer at IIM.
At this point, he was part of a groundbreaking project to develop India’s very first time-sharing computer system.
Alongside all this, he also had a side project where he and his colleague, Prof. Rama Rao, created a BASIC interpreter for the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd.
However, deep inside, there was a fiery desire to leap into entrepreneurship. This led him to start his own company called Softronics. Unfortunately, Softronics didn’t find the success he’d hoped for, and he had to close it down after just a year and a half.
But Murthy was not one to give up. In 1977, he joined Patni Computers in Pune as a General Manager. It was during this time that he started cooking up a plan for something big.
In 1981, with the help of six fellow software professionals – Nandan M Nilekani, S Gopalakrishnan, S D Shibulal, K Dinesh, NS Raghavan, and Ashok Arora – he founded Infosys. Interestingly, he borrowed ₹10,000 from his wife, Sudha Murthy, to get the ball rolling. Today, Infosys is a household name in the tech world, with Sudha Murthy herself making a significant impact as the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation.
In its initial stages, Infosys faced many challenges and downturns as its joint venture with Kurt Salmon Associates fell apart in 1989.
But later, in the early 1990s, Infosys, under Narayana Murthy’s leadership, saw remarkable growth as India embraced economic liberalization. The company expanded its services globally, providing consulting, software development, and engineering services to overseas businesses. Infosys made history in 1999 by becoming the first Indian company to be listed on the American stock exchange, NASDAQ.
In 2004, Infosys achieved a stunning 33% increase in annual revenues, reaching $1.06 billion despite a global IT industry downturn. However, the company faced criticism in the United States due to concerns about job losses from offshoring.
But this controversy didn’t significantly impact Infosys’s business.
In 2006, Narayana Murthy retired from the services of the company as he turned 60 & he was appointed as the Additional Director. By 2010, the company had crossed the $5 billion revenue mark. Murthy retired from Infosys in 2011, and he was given the title Chairman Emeritus. Again in 2013, the Board appointed Murthy as the Executive Chairman of the Board.
In the subsequent years, Infosys saw a huge growth curve, earning many accolades to its name, like being listed at number 3 in the Forbes World’s Best Regarded Companies in 2019.
In 2023, Infosys was recognized as one of the world’s most Ethical companies (2023) for the 3rd consecutive year by Ethisphere.
Narayana Murthy is married to Sudha Murthy, who is an educator, author, and philanthropist. Sudha Murthy is also the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. They have two children, a son named Rohan Murty and a daughter named Akshata Murty.
Rohan Murty is a junior fellow at the Harvard Society of Fellows, founder of the Murty Classical Library of India, and founder and chief technical officer of the digital transformation company Soroco.
In 2009, Akshata got married to British politician Rishi Sunak, who requires no introduction. Rishi Sunak, who served as a Member of Parliament, eventually became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Narayana Murthy is a reading enthusiast, and he believes that a greater impact on society can be made through politics.
Narayana Murthy has made some significant investments:
Announced Date
Organization Name
Lead Investor
Funding Round
Money Raised
July 11, 2017
ThePrint
No
Venture Round
₹450 million
June 12, 2017
Coverfox Insurance
–
Series-C
$22 million
May 23, 2017
Acko
Yes
Seed Round
$30 million
Narayana Murthy – Philanthropy
“The real power of money is in giving it away” is one of his famous sayings. Philanthropy is Murthy’s other passion. Narayana Murthy’s contribution to society includes creating jobs through Infosys, promoting ethical business practices, and supporting education and rural development through the Infosys Foundation.
The James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award, which honors those who use technology to improve the lives of others, was given to Narayana Murthy.
He is part of the boards of the Ford Foundation, the UN Foundation, and the Indo-British Partnership, and serves as a trustee for the Infosys prize and the Rhodes Trust.
He also leads the governing board of the Public Health Foundation of India.
TIME magazine recognized him as an Asian hero for his significant contributions to the continent over the past 60 years.
Through Infosys Foundation, Murthy actively contributed to philanthropy in education, healthcare, and rural development.
Narayana Murthy – Controversies
In 2023, Narayana Murthy sparked a big debate across India by suggesting that millennials should follow a 70-hour workweek for better productivity and a brighter future. His opinion got mixed reactions. Most professionals from software and other fields disagreed, saying it would harm their mental and physical health. However, some who value strong work ethics supported his idea.
Narayan Murthy sparked another controversy with his comment about a ’70-hour workweek,’ which faced strong criticism. Speaking at the CNBC Global Leadership Summit 2024, he said, “I don’t believe in work-life balance.”
Narayana Murthy also expressed regret about India switching from a six-day to a five-day workweek.
“We need to work hard in this country. There’s no substitute for hard work. Even the smartest person has to put in the effort. I stand by my views and always will,” he said.
Sharing lessons from his own life, he mentioned working up to 14 hours a day, six and a half days a week, during his career. “I’m very proud of it,” he added.
Narayana Murthy – Awards and Recognitions
Narayana Murthy – President Pratibha Patil presenting the Padma Vibhushan to N. R. Narayana Murthy in 2008
Narayana Murthy has been awarded various accolades. Here are some prominent awards and recognitions for him:
2000 – Padma Shri, Government of India
2002 – IET Honorary Fellow, Institution of Engineering and Technology
2003 – Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year, Ernst & Young
2007 – IEEE Ernst Weber Engineering Leadership Recognition, IEEE
2007 – Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), UK Government
2007 – Honorary Degree, Lancaster University
2008 – Officer of the Legion of Honour, Government of France
2008 – Padma Vibhushan, Government of India
2009 – Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship, Woodrow Wilson Center
2009 – Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University
2010 – IEEE Honorary Membership, IEEE
2011 – Icon of India, NDTV Indian of the Year
2012 – Hoover Medal, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
2013 – Philanthropist of the Year, The Asian Awards
2013 – Sayaji Ratna Award, Baroda Management Association
2013 – 25 Greatest Global Indian Living Legends, NDTV
2014 – CIF Global Indian Award, Canada India Foundation
2018 – Asian Scientist 100, Asian Scientist
2019 – Asian Scientist 100, Asian Scientist
2022 – Kempegowda Award, BBMP (Bengaluru)
2024 – India Lifetime Achievement Award, Patrick J. McGovern Awards by Chiratae Ventures
Narayana Murthy – Books
Here are some notable books authored by Narayana Murthy:
A Better India: A Better World – Penguin Books, 2009
A Clear Blue Sky: Stories and Poems on Conflict and Hope – Puffin Books India, 2017
The Wit and Wisdom of Narayana Murthy – Hay House, 2016
Mere Business Mantra (Hindi) – Publisher not specified
FAQs
Who is Narayana Murthy?
Narayana Murthy is the founder of Infosys, a global IT company, and a pioneer in India’s tech industry.
Who is the owner of Infosys?
N.R. Narayana Murthy, Nilekani, S. Gopalakrishnan, S.D. Shibulal, K. Dinesh, N.S. Raghavan and Ashok Arora are the co-founders of Infosys.
What is the education of Narayana Murthy?
Narayana Murthy did his graduation from the National Institute of Engineering in 1967 and he got his Master’s degree from IIT Kanpur in 1969.
What is Narayana Murthy contribution to society?
Narayana Murthy helped build India’s IT industry, created jobs, promoted ethical business, and supported education and social causes through philanthropy.
What is Narayana Murthy company name?
Narayana Murthy co-founded Infosys along with Nilekani, S. Gopalakrishnan, S.D. Shibulal, K. Dinesh, N.S. Raghavan and Ashok Arora.
According to business emails issued on April 18, software giant Infosys has laid off 240 entry-level workers who could not pass internal tests. The action comes after a round of layoffs in February, when the Indian IT services company fired over 300 trainees for similar reasons. Through NIIT and UpGrad, Infosys is providing free upskilling classes to those who are impacted. The layoffs occur while Infosys manages a low level of demand. For the upcoming fiscal year, the company has projected revenue growth of only 0% to 3%, highlighting the ongoing unpredictability in its primary markets. Following the announcement of the candidates’ final assessment attempt results, the email sent on April 18th said, “Please be informed that, despite additional preparation time, doubt-clearing sessions, several mock assessments, and three attempts, you have not met the qualifying criteria in the “Generic Foundation Training Programme.” Consequently, you will be unable to proceed with the apprenticeship programme.
Infosys Offers External Training Programme
The email went on to say that Infosys has expert outplacement services scheduled to assist you while you look for alternatives outside of Infosys. In order to prepare you for future positions in the BPM business, we also want to offer you another career path: enrolling in an external training programme supported by Infosys. You can also apply for open positions at Infosys BPM Limited after completing the training successfully. To further help your IT career journey, you can also choose an external training programme on information technology fundamentals offered by Infosys if you want to keep improving your IT skills. The trainees will also receive lodging, a month’s salary, and a transport stipend from the Mysuru training facility to Bengaluru or their hometown. NIIT will assist with IT training, while Infosys has partnered with UpGrad for BPM training. Additionally, Infosys has extended this offer to trainees affected in February, giving them the opportunity to sign up for these free upskilling courses. For the class that enrolled on October 21, 2024, roughly 730 trainees showed up for their third and last try on April 17, 2025.
Ups and Downs at Infosys
After failing internal inspections, the IT services exporter fired another 30 to 45 trainees from its Mysuru campus on March 26. A comparable alternative career path to that of the impacted trainees was presented to them, which included 12 weeks of training for possible positions in Infosys Business Process Management (BPM). These trainees were brought on board following a two-and-a-half-year wait, which was brought on by a macroeconomic slump that caused IT companies’ clients to stop investing in projects. The aforementioned trainees were hired as Digital Specialist Engineers (DSE) and System Engineers (SE). On April 17, Infosys announced that it intends to onboard 20,000 new hires this fiscal year, despite the fact that it is facing uncertainties in its key regions, including the US and Europe, since customers are holding back on spending on technology. Last year, it onboarded more than 15,000 new hires.
