ORIGIN AND GROWTH
OF HR FUNCTION IN
INDIA
ORIGIN OF HR
The worlds 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