IT Services Titan Phaneesh Murthy Bets on a New Horse, Joins AI Challenger Covasant to Build the AI-Services Future
Murthy, renowned for scaling both Infosys and iGate into billion-dollar powerhouses, is making a deliberate bet on Covasant's vision for Agentic AI as a new frontier where AI doesn't just assist humans, but acts as an autonomous agent to reimagine and run complex business processes and workflows. His appointment is a significant endorsement of Covasant's ambition to challenge the traditional IT services model and define the future of enterprise automation.
"For decades, the IT industry's brilliance was in its ability to scale human expertise. We've now reached a turning point. The goal today is to empower that expertise with true efficiency and autonomy, powered by AI," said C V Subramanyam, Chairman and Managing Director of Covasant. "Phaneesh joining us is a landmark moment because he's one of the architects of that first IT wave, he sees clearly where the next one is headed and it signals a fundamental shift in how value will be created in this industry for the next decade. We're thrilled to have him and are certain that his business acumen, and his wealth of experience will be instrumental in shaping our strategic direction, driving innovation, and solidifying our position as a trusted leader in Agentic AI that delivers tangible business impact for enterprises.'
Murthy's career has been defined by identifying and capitalising on the "next big thing" in technology services. His decision to join a nimble, specialized firm like Covasant is seen as a leading indicator of where enterprise value will be created next. He will be instrumental in shaping Covasant's global expansion, particularly in key verticals like healthcare, BFSI, and manufacturing.
"The industry is flooded with AI hype. Everyone has a chatbot!," said Phaneesh Murthy. "But very few are building what Covasant is: autonomous AI agents with human in the loop, that can actually run a supply chain, manage a financial audit, or solve other real-business challenges across domains, flawlessly. They're not just building better tools; they're building a new kind of workforce, with guardrails to ensure AI stays compliant while delivering value. The 'Services-as-Software' model is the most logical evolution of the global services industry. I'm here because I believe Covasant has the vision and the DNA to lead it. This is about building the next great enterprise technology company, not just another services firm."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
ITC, MCX among top stocks bought and sold by mutual funds in July
Mutual Funds bought stocks worth Rs 45,400 crore in July, while their total cash and equivalents rose to Rs 1.85 lakh crore (5.46%) from Rs 1.82 lakh crore (5.34%) in June, according to Nuvama Institutional Equities. The key additions across the mutual fund industry were State Bank of India (Rs 10,200 crore), Infosys (Rs 5,400 crore) and TCS (Rs 4,000 crore), while key reductions were Interglobe Aviation (Rs 2,400 crore), Eternal (Rs 1,700 crore), and HPCL (Rs 900 crore). Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Also Read | Sectoral & thematic mutual funds see record jump in inflows to over Rs 9,400 crore. Is it time to enter or stay cautious? Best MF to invest Looking for the best mutual funds to invest? Here are our recommendations. View Details » The key additions for three consecutive months were State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance , Larsen & Toubro, Kotak Mahindra Bank , and Axis Bank , whereas the key reductions were Coal India , Grasim Industries , BPCL , Power Fin Corp, and TVS Motor Co for three consecutive months. In largecaps, mutual funds' key buys included State Bank of India, Infosys, M&M, Avenue Supermarts , and ITC , while major sells were Reliance Industries , Trent , Sun Pharma, Axis Bank, and Coal India. Live Events In midcaps, notable additions were Travel Food Services (Rs 700 crore), JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals (Rs 600 crore), and Navin Fluorine International (Rs 600 crore), while major reductions were ACC (Rs 800 crore), Hindustan Copper (Rs 600 crore), and Aarti Industries (Rs 400 crore). In the midcap space, key additions for three consecutive months were UCO Bank, Apar Inds, Blue Star, Global Health and Central Bank Of India whereas key reductions included Radico Khaitan, Endurance Tech, 3M India, ACC, and Affle (India). Key buying in the midcap segment was seen in CG Power & Industrial, Dixon Technologies , Cummins India , FSN E-Commerce, Info Edge (India), while key selling was seen in Solar Industries, Max Healthcare, Indian Hotels Co, HPCL, Federal Bank . In the smallcap segment, the key additions were Marathon Nextgen (Rs 500 crore), India Shelter Finance (Rs 400 crore), and Ellenbarrie Industries (Rs 300 crore) whereas the key reductions were Rallis India (Rs 100 crore), Aditya Birla Fashion (Rs 100 crore), and CE Info Systems (Rs 100 crore). For three consecutive months, key additions in the smallcap segment were Va Tech Wabag, Edelweiss Fin, NESCO, Alok Industries Ltd., and Maharashtra Seamless, and the key reductions were Power Mech Projects, Praj Industries, Strides Pharma, Thomas Cook (I), and Gujarat Pipavav Port. Also Read | Honasa shares soar 13% on Q1 beat, Jefferies predicts stock can rally up to Rs 400 A significant buying in the small cap space was seen in Laurus Labs, RBL Bank, J B Chem & Pharm, India Shelter Finance and Kaynes Tech, while highest selling was seen in MCX, BSE , Hitachi Energy, Tega Industries, and Indiamart Intermesh. The new entries in smallcap space included Globus Spirits & Edelweiss Finance, while Hindustan Copper made a complete exit.
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
Infosys urges employees to use Namma Metro's Yellow Line to beat traffic
Bengaluru: With the launch of the much-awaited Namma Metro Yellow Line, Infosys has encour-aged its employees to use the new route to reduce traffic congestion and enjoy a smoother commute. In an email to employees, the company highlighted the benefits of the Yellow Line, es-pecially during peak hours, calling it a 'convenient and time-saving travel option.' In-fosys Foundation has also arranged feeder buses from Konappana Agrahara Metro Station to its satellite offices in Electronics City, timed to match train arrivals during rush hours. To further ease the commute, a dedicated skywalk connects the Metro station directly to Infosys Metro Plaza, where employees can enter upon showing their ID cards. Yellow Line schedule Trains on the Yellow Line run between RV Road and Delta Electronics Bommasandra stations. Services begin at 6:30 a.m. from both ends (7:00 a.m. on Sundays), with trains operating every 25 minutes until late evening. The last train leaves Bommasandra at 11:15 p.m. and RV Road at 11:50 p.m. The one-way journey takes about 35 minutes, covering 16 stations, and costs Rs 60 for a full stretch. Tokens, NCMC cards, BMRCL smart cards, and QR tickets are accepted. Strong passenger response on Day One Commercial operations began on Monday morning, with the first train departing at 6:30 a.m. from RV Road. While initial passenger numbers were low in the first two hours, trains quickly filled up after 8:00 a.m., remaining packed throughout the journey. Cur-rently, only three trains operate on the route, contributing to Yellow Line trains feature digital display screens showing upcoming stations, emergency contact numbers, and route details in both Kannada and English. Security was tight at stations, with BMRCL staff on hand to assist passengers. However, parking remains a challenge at interchange stations, with nearby streets fill-ing up with two-wheelers early in the morning, forcing latecomers to search extensively for space. Travel timings between key stations From Bommasandra, trains reach Biocon Hebbagodi in 1.18 minutes, Hosa Road in 8.11 minutes, Kudlu Gate in 11.01 minutes, Central Silk Board in 15.19 minutes, Jaya-deva Hospital in 17.47 minutes, and RV Road in just over 21 minutes. With the Yellow Line now operational, Bengaluru's southern commuters — including thousands of IT employees — can expect faster, more predictable travel times, especial-ly if companies follow Infosys's lead in promoting public transport use.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
UPSC Mains 2025: Smart use of these 25 keywords will give you an edge in GS answers and essays
There is a crucial element that often differentiates a good answer from an average answer — impressive presentation of the answer with smart use of apt vocabulary. Right words acts as a bridge to the gap between mere content and an impactful answer. In this last week leading to the UPSC Mains 2025, the skill of answer writing matters as much as the content. As the 'Liberation Day' tariff announced by Donald Trump made headlines, political scientists increasingly referred to an ancient Greek concept called Thucydides' trap. This concept describes the heightened likelihood of conflict when a rising power threatens to displace an established hegemon. What do you think? Are China and the USA moving in that direction? How will this impact India? You can include it in your answer while discussing the ongoing tariff tussle between the USA and several countries. Stressing India's first as our foreign policy, the Prime Minister has emphasised that India's current approach focuses on an 'Equi-Closeness' policy–being equally close to all, unlike the policy of maintaining equal distance from all nations. This is used while asserting India's strategic autonomy while maintaining its emerging role as a key player in geopolitics. Do not forget to use this in your answers on IR topics. It adds conceptual sharpness to your response. How is India navigating the complexity of geopolitics in a multipolar world? In recent times, while navigating the complex web of overlapping interests and transactional alliances, India's foreign policy has relied on a 'Multipolar Manoeuvre Matrix'. From hosting the Quad summit to participating in the BRICS summit and forming the IMEC, India is charting its course well, and you should do the same with your answers. As Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, has advocated for a 70-hour workweek, work-life balance has become the centre stage of discussions. First came quiet quitting, the subtle act of doing only what is required at work without going above and beyond. It was seen as a boundary-setting mechanism, a way for employees to reclaim work-life balance in a culture that often glorifies burnout. However, a new term, quiet cracking, is gaining attention. Unlike quiet quitting, which is an intentional choice, quiet cracking stems from emotional stress. It refers to employees who silently begin to unravel due to toxic leadership, unmanageable expectations, or a lack of purpose at work. Therefore, from quiet quitting to quit cracking, you can show the challenges of the current work culture faced by the youth to highlight your point. As online video consumption has skyrocketed, a term that has been making buzz is the Oxford University Press (OUP)'s 2024 'Word of the Year' — brain rot. It is 'the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging.' Since UPSC has asked a question on the impact of socialisation of children with the replacement of child cuddling with mobile phones (2023, GS 1). This is not just a buzzword — mentioning it shows an up-to-date grasp of prevailing trends and discussions. You are aware of cyberbullying and trolling. Last year, UP Class 10 Board examination topper Prachi Nigam faced relentless trolling over her facial hair. These trolling and bullying incidents are not isolated cases. On a daily basis, teenagers and celebrities face abuse from faceless people. This is explained through the online disinhibition effect, which allows the user to freely express themselves without any restraint that they would generally not do in face-to-face interactions. Using this term underlines your awareness of current trends and the evolving discourse. During Prime Minister Modi's official visit to the White House in February 2025 after Donald Trump's re-election, Modi outlined his vision for 'Make India Great Again' (MIGA), drawing inspiration from President Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) slogan. He said, 'In India, we are working with determination toward a Viksit Bharat, which in American terms, is MIGA – Make India Great Again. Together, MAGA and MIGA create a MEGA partnership for prosperity.' These key terms can also be used to emphasise the significance of these two large economies in light of ongoing trade talks. You know about India's vision of Vikshit Bharat. While addressing the diaspora in New York last year, PM Modi presented a vision of India's future through PUSHP. P stands for Progressive Bharat, U for Unstoppable Bharat, S for Spiritual Bharat, H for Humanity First Bharat, and P for Prosperous Bharat. Do not forget to write PUSHP when advocating for Vikshit Bharat. The increased use of chemical fertilisers in the agricultural sector has been a major issue for the Indian government. To promote the balanced use of fertilisers and reduce the burden of subsidies, the government launched the PM Program for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM PRANAM) scheme in 2023. The agriculture sector is one of the favourite areas of UPSC, and this scheme should be included in your answer. Providing good governance is what has been the aim of the bureaucratic setup of our country. Recently, the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission (GARC) submitted a report in March this year, suggesting that the government adopt Kaizen, a Japanese method for continuous improvement. What is the approach of this philosophy? It focuses on creating small but continuous and consistent improvements by involving employees and officials at all levels of the organisation. It provides '5S' for establishing ideal work conditions: 'seiri' (sort), 'seiton' (straighten), 'seiso' (scrub), 'seiketsu' (standardize), and 'shitsuke' (sustain). Each term represents a step in the workplace organisation approach. Including this in your answer will give more value to the answer and can help differentiate it from others. Urban waste management is no small headache— it is a major challenge for today's fast-paced economy. If you have done PYQ analysis, you will notice that UPSC often throws questions that have been the hot topic. So, when urbanisation is coming with its own set of woes, the government is not sitting idle; they are part of C3, that is, the Cities Coalition for Circulation, and adopting the Jaipur declaration. Therefore, when writing about urban problems, drop the acronym 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) as the solution to urban management. Organising the global textile event, Bharat Tex 2025, the focus has been on the textile sector to lead the path of Atmanirbhar Bharat. So, when you are writing about sectors that can lead the path for a Vikshit Bharat, do not forget to bring in the 5F – Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign– vision as envisioned by the PM to position India on the Global textile map. Use this term strategically to improve the structure and content of your answer. It just celebrated its 10th birthday– making it a crucial topic for your GS and Essay papers. It is a beacon of hope for millions of women in India to live up to the saying of 'Yatra naryastu pujyante, ramante tatra devata', which means, 'Where women are honored, divinity resides.' So, when you want to quote a Samarthya (Empowered) woman, don't forget to use BBBP. The World Bank report 'Women, Business, and the Law 2024' found that globally, women earn just 77 cents for every dollar paid to men. You may know about the glass ceiling, but do you know about the sticky floor effect? The sticky floor effect refers to discriminatory patterns that prevent women's careers from moving forward when they start out in their careers (thus, stuck on the career floor). In this study, gender wage gaps are higher among lower-earning workers and steadily decline towards the higher end of the wage distribution. Therefore, when writing about the challenges faced by women, along with the glass ceiling, do not forget to mention the 'sticky floor' effect, which is much relatable to India. According to the Time Use Survey, the gap between the minutes spent by females and males in a day is the sharpest for unpaid domestic work, followed by unpaid caregiving services for household members. What does this reveal about the state of the care economy in India? In this case, you can use the 5R framework provided by the International Labour Organisation to demonstrate your in-depth knowledge and clarity. The 5R framework focuses on recognising, reducing, redistributing, rewarding, and representing care work. Want to read more about balancing care and monetised economies for India's growth? Read here. After the Justice Verma Cash row, judicial reform has been a talking point from public platforms to Parliament. One such reform that has been in focus for a long time is the uncle-judge syndrome. The Law Commission, in its 230th Report, suggested doing away with the uncle-judge syndrome. The Commission has said that judges should not be posted in the same High Court where they have practised to eliminate the uncle-judge syndrome. So, when it comes to judicial reform, do mention getting rid of the uncle-judge syndrome. In 2017, while launching a digital system developed to help the Supreme Court go paperless, Modi said that if the country had to adapt to new technologies and stay ahead of the curve, it would have to follow the equation 'IT+IT = IT', or Information Technology and Indian talent equals 'India Tomorrow'. While writing India's digital mission, do not forget to mention this equation. Antyodaya — uplifting people at the bottom of the pyramid— has been the guiding philosophy of the government. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting the 11 years of inclusive growth of the current government, wrote that the vision of Antyodaya is based on four simple yet powerful pillars. This includes building infrastructure that connects, inclusive growth, job-creating manufacturing that creates jobs, and empowering simplified systems. Questions on 'Inclusive growth' have frequently appeared in UPSC Mains, so whenever writing about it, be certain to point out the vision of the government — antyodaya. Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra, while slashing the repo rate in June 2025, said that the Indian economy offers immense opportunities to investors, both domestic and foreign, through three Ds – demographic, digitisation, and domestic demand. In September 2014, while addressing the Indian diaspora at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Modi singled out 'three Ds' — 'democracy, demographic dividend, and demand' — as the three unique strengths of India that will take it to new heights. Conclude your economy-related answer with a vision-oriented note, highlighting the three D's as drivers of growth. According to the NITI Aayog, 'Mobility has the potential to drive the economy forward and positively impact the lives of citizens, both in urban and rural areas.' The Prime Minister outlined a vision for the future of mobility in India based on the 7 C's: Common, Connected, Convenient, Congestion-free, Charged, Clean, and Cutting-edge mobility. This is important in light of India's commitment to climate change and increased emphasis on the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs). This was also mentioned during PM Modi's address at the inauguration of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. When writing about the government's measures in the mobility sector or push for clean energy, remember to highlight the Seven Cs to provide a more holistic and structured answer. Nuclear energy, as a solution to climate change and a potentially destructive weapon, presents a duality. Nuclear deterrence, that is, the possibility of using a nuclear weapon by a country to deter an enemy, has been highlighted in recent conflicts around the world. In this regard, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is important for your exam. Since India is not a member of the NPT, do not forget to mention what the current arrangement of the NPT is called by many — 'nuclear apartheid'. For a sharper and more impactful Mains answer, include this term in the right context. The Swachh Bharat Mission, which completed 10 years since its launch, is an example of effective utilisation of nudge theory. Campaigns like 'seeti bajao', 'Darwaza Band', and 'Har Din Do Bin' encouraged behavioural change in sanitation and hygiene. Use this keyword to spin your narrative to emphasise the significance of behaviour change in various sectors. You are aware of China's strategy of the 'String of Pearls', but do you know that India has its own counterstrategy for the same? India's counterstrategy is the 'Necklace of Diamonds', which involves strategic partnerships with regional littorals, investments in port infrastructure, and presence through naval diplomacy. When showcasing India's shift in maritime security from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR, be sure to mention this strategy to elevate the quality of your mains answer. The Triple A approach through the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), Anganwadi Worker (AWW), and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) is a strategy for integrated child and maternal healthcare in India. These are the first-line public health service providers in rural Indian communities. The AAA approach is worth adding to writing answers related to health, women and children. At COP26 in Glasgow, India presented the five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India's climate action. It include reaching 500GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030, reduction of total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now to 2030, reduction of the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent by 2030, over 2005 levels, and achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070. As climate change holds high relevance for UPSC Mains, add these five ingredients to make the panchamrit — Indian climate action to climate change. For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
