Narayana Murthy Net Worth in 2025
- Estimated Net Worth (2025): Approximately ₹4,40,000 crore (approx. $5.3 billion)
- Primary Wealth Source: Minority stake in Infosys
- National Ranking: #62 on Forbes India’s Richest 2025 list
- Industry: Software Services
Nagavara Ramarao Narayana Murthy, widely known as the “father of the Indian IT sector,” is a name synonymous with India’s economic rise on the global stage. As the co-founder of Infosys, his journey from a modest beginning to becoming a billionaire is a foundational story of modern Indian business. His wealth is not just a number but a reflection of the value he helped create in the Indian technology industry. This article provides a detailed examination of Narayana Murthy’s net worth in 2025, exploring the components of his wealth, the journey behind it, and his influence beyond the balance sheet.
Wealth Breakdown and Sources
Narayana Murthy’s wealth, while substantial, is notable for its primary concentration in a single, iconic asset: Infosys.
- Core Holding: The Infosys Stake
The vast majority of Murthy’s wealth comes from his minority stake in Infosys, the company he founded with six others in 1981. While the exact percentage of his holding can vary slightly, it is this investment that forms the bedrock of his financial standing. The value of this stake is directly tied to the performance of Infosys stock on the market, leading to natural fluctuations in his reported net worth from year to year. - Reconciling Net Worth Figures
Depending on the source and the timing of the valuation, you may encounter different figures for Murthy’s net worth. Forbes, a highly authoritative source in wealth tracking, lists his net worth at $5.3 billion for 2025, which translates to approximately ₹4,40,000 crore. Other publications may report different numbers. For instance, one source cites a net worth of ₹32,150 crore (approx. $3.9 billion), while another estimates it at $4.8 billion. These discrepancies are normal and are due to different valuation dates, methodologies, and market movements. - Other Assets and Ventures
Beyond his Infosys shares, Murthy’s wealth is supplemented by other investments and assets. He is the chairman of Catamaran Ventures, a private equity firm that has invested in numerous Indian startups like Flipkart and Paytm. He also owns significant real estate, including a 100-acre farm in Bengaluru and a penthouse in New York. Furthermore, his family office has been known to make substantial gifts, such as the Infosys shares worth nearly $30 million he gifted to his four-month-old grandson in 2024.
Table: Narayana Murthy’s Net Worth Estimates from Various Sources (2025)
| Source | Net Worth in USD | Approximate Net Worth in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Forbes | $5.3 billion | ₹4,40,000 crore |
| Business Outreach | $4.8 billion | ₹3,98,000 crore |
| Hurun India Rich List | ~$3.9 billion | ₹32,150 crore |
The Infosys Journey: From $250 to a Global Giant
The story of Murthy’s wealth is inextricably linked to the story of Infosys. It is a tale of vision, perseverance, and revolutionary business practices.
- Humble Beginnings
Infosys was founded in 1981 with an initial capital of just ₹10,000 (about $250), which was provided by Murthy’s wife, Sudha Murty. Murthy, along with six other software professionals, started the company to provide software development services to global clients. The early years were fraught with challenges, from navigating India’s license raj to convincing international clients to trust a nascent Indian company. - Pioneering the Global Delivery Model
A key factor in Infosys’s explosive growth was Murthy’s articulation and implementation of the Global Delivery Model (GDM). This model involved executing software projects with on-site teams at the client’s location and remote, cost-effective teams in India. This innovation became the cornerstone of the entire Indian IT services outsourcing industry, making India the back-office of the world. - Landmark Achievements and Growth
Under Murthy’s leadership as CEO (1981-2002) and later as Chairman, Infosys achieved several historic milestones. It became the first Indian company to be listed on NASDAQ in 1999. The company’s commitment to transparency and strong corporate governance set a new benchmark for Indian businesses. From its first client in New York, Infosys grew to achieve revenues of $100 million by 1999 and crossed $5 billion in revenue by 2010. As of the 2025 fiscal year, Infosys recorded a massive revenue of ₹162,990 crore, cementing its status as a global IT powerhouse. - Leadership and Return from Retirement
Murthy stepped down as chairman in 2011 but returned in 2013 as executive chairman to help steer the company during a period of uncertainty. In 2017, he again played a pivotal role by raising concerns over alleged corporate governance lapses at the company, which ultimately led to a board shakeup and the return of co-founder Nandan Nilekani as chairman. This series of events underscored his enduring influence as the company’s guardian and moral compass.
Philanthropy and Investments
Narayana Murthy and his family have consistently channeled their wealth toward philanthropic and entrepreneurial causes.
- The Infosys Foundation
Established in 1996, the Infosys Foundation is the family’s primary philanthropic arm. Chaired by Sudha Murty, the non-profit organization focuses on areas including education, rural development, healthcare, and art and culture. While the exact figures of their donations are not always publicly disclosed, their contributions have been significant and wide-reaching. - Support for Education and Research
The family has a strong commitment to academia. Murthy serves on the advisory boards of prestigious institutions like Cornell University and INSEAD. His son, Rohan Murty, donated $5.2 million to Harvard University Press to establish the Murty Classical Library of India, a collection dedicated to translating ancient Indian texts. Furthermore, through the Infosys Science Foundation, the family governs the Infosys Prize, an annual award that honors outstanding researchers and scientists. - Catamaran Ventures
Moving beyond Infosys, Murthy’s investment firm, Catamaran Ventures, allows him to nurture the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs. The firm has made strategic early-stage investments in several now-prominent Indian startups, including Flipkart and Paytm, thereby diversifying his wealth and supporting the broader Indian startup ecosystem.
Family and Legacy
The Murthy family is often regarded as one of India’s most accomplished, with each member having a distinguished public profile.
- Sudha Murty
Murthy’s wife, Sudha Murty, is a celebrated author, educator, and philanthropist. She is the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation and is widely respected for her simple lifestyle and immense contributions to social causes. - Akshata Murty and Rishi Sunak
The Murthys’ daughter, Akshata Murty, is a businesswoman and fashion designer. She is married to Rishi Sunak, the British-Indian Conservative politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2022 to 2024. This connection has brought the Murthy family into the global political spotlight. - Rohan Murty
Their son, Rohan Murty, is a Harvard-educated computer scientist. He worked briefly as his father’s executive assistant at Infosys and later co-founded Soroco, an enterprise software company. He is also known for his philanthropic contributions to academia.
Controversies and Public Statements
As a prominent thought leader, Murthy’s opinions often spark national conversations, sometimes leading to controversy.
- The 70-Hour Work Week Debate
In 2023, Murthy triggered a nationwide debate when he suggested on a podcast that for India’s productivity to improve, young people should be prepared to work 70 hours a week. The comment received both strong criticism and support from various quarters. A year later, in November 2024, he clarified his stance, stating that it was a matter for “personal introspection” and not a mandate. He emphasized that while he himself worked those hours for over 40 years, it was a personal choice and that “nobody can say you should do it”. - Views on Corporate Compensation
Murthy has also been a vocal proponent of what he terms “compassionate capitalism.” In 2017, he publicly opposed a significant pay raise for the COO of Infosys, arguing that a large disparity between the compensation of top executives and ordinary employees could erode trust within the company. This stance highlighted his belief in equitable wealth distribution within an organization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Narayana Murthy’s net worth in rupees in 2025?
As of 2025, Narayana Murthy’s net worth is estimated to be approximately ₹4,40,000 crore, which is about $5.3 billion, according to Forbes.
2. How did Narayana Murthy make his money?
The vast majority of his wealth comes from his minority stake in Infosys, the global IT consulting and services company he co-founded in 1981. His wealth is also supplemented by returns from his private investment firm, Catamaran Ventures.
3. What is the source of the different net worth figures for Murthy?
Different financial publications and wealth indices use their own methodologies and assess wealth at different points in time. Factors like the fluctuating share price of Infosys and the valuation of private investments lead to a range of estimates, all of which are valid within their own context.
4. How much of Infosys does Narayana Murthy own?
While the exact percentage fluctuates, it is reported that he owns about 3% of Infosys. This seemingly small percentage of a multi-billion dollar corporation constitutes the core of his multi-billion dollar fortune.
5. What is Narayana Murthy’s role in Infosys today?
After serving as CEO and Chairman, Murthy is now the Chairman Emeritus of Infosys. This is an honorary title, and he is not involved in the day-to-day management of the company.
6. Is Narayana Murthy involved in philanthropy?
Yes, extensively. Along with his wife Sudha Murty, he is deeply involved in philanthropy primarily through the Infosys Foundation, which works in the areas of education, rural development, and healthcare. The family has also made significant donations to academic institutions globally.
7. What is the ’70-hour work week’ comment and what was the context?
In a 2023 podcast, Murthy suggested that young Indians should work 70 hours a week to enhance the nation’s productivity, citing the examples of Japan and Germany post-World War II. The remark sparked a major public debate on work culture. He later clarified that it was intended as a suggestion for personal dedication, not a rigid mandate.
8. Who are the other founders of Infosys?
Infosys was co-founded by seven people: N.R. Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani, S. Gopalakrishnan, S. D. Shibulal, K. Dinesh, N. S. Raghavan, and Ashok Arora. Several of them, including Nandan Nilekani and Kris Gopalakrishnan, are also billionaires.
Conclusion
Narayana Murthy’s net worth of approximately ₹4,40,000 crore in 2025 is a testament to a lifetime of visionary leadership and relentless execution. More than just a number, his wealth represents the creation of a world-class institution from scratch, the founding of an entire industry, and the empowerment of millions of professionals in India. His journey from a modest start with ₹10,000 to becoming one of India’s wealthiest individuals continues to inspire entrepreneurs. While his public statements sometimes stir debate, his legacy as the patriarch who helped put Indian IT on the global map is secure. His wealth, therefore, is not merely a measure of financial success, but a barometer of the transformative impact one individual can have on a nation’s economy and global standing.