ORIGIN AND GROWTH

OF HR FUNCTION IN
INDIA
ORIGIN OF HR
The world’s first management book, titled “Arthasastra”
written by Kautilya, in 400 BC, codified many aspects of
human resource practices in ancient India.
GROWTH OF HUMAN
RESOURCE
• HRM in India could be traced back to the period after
1920, when emphasis was on worker welfare.
• In 1931, the royal commission on labor suggested the
appointment of labor officer to protect workers interests .
• Appointment of labor officer
• The second world war
• Enactment of Industrial dispute Act
• Enactment of Factories Act
• 1960 and after…..
FIRST PHASE
• Immediately after independence the focus was on four
points to deal with manpower in organizations:
 Maintain discipline
Prevent their formation of and break-up the leadership of
trade unionism
Handle recruitment and termination
Keep some form of attendance and personnel records.
SECOND PHASE
IN 1960S, Indian industrialization got a fillip with the rise
of the public sector. Hence 3 more functions were added
i.e.,
• Labor welfare
• Participative management
• Industrial Harmony

In this period, the human relations movement of the west

also had its impact on Indian organization.
THIRD PHASE
 In 1970, the people management function was neatly
divided into two :
• Personnel officer
• Establishment officers
Fourth Phase
• In 1976, birth of worker training institute and attitudinal
development.
Fifth Phase
• In 1985, organization shifted towards creating a separate
HR deptt.
• HRD and personnel functions were clubbed together.
Sixth phase
• In early 1990s :
• HRM was seen as strategy
• Motivation and stress were considered to bring change in
HRM
• Focus on organization objectives
Seventh Phase
• In the mid of 1990s, sub specialization like :
• Industrial Relations
• Training & Development
• HR Information system
Eight phase
• HRM is not seen as a separate function of a separate
department any more.
• It became the part of Corporate Strategy formulation and
strategy implementation team.
Late Arrival of HRM in India
• Late arrival of factory system
• Low status of industrial worker
• Professionalization of Human resource Management
• Social responsibilities of Business
• Change of government attitude
Factors Impending the growth of HRM
in India
• Abundance of cheap labor
• Weak labor movement
• Highly Authoritarian culture
• Technological Backwardness
• Instability in Employment
• Unhealthy growth of Trade unions
• Migratory characteristic of Indian labor
Evolving Role of HRM in India
• Origin Of Human Resource Management in India
• The police Man
• The Welfare Man
• The law Man
• The Liaison Man
• The HR Man