M. Krishnamurthi studied at Andhra University and Osmania University. After working in Osmania University as a Lecturer and Reader in Physics for ten years, he moved to the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore to work as an Assistant Professor. Krishnamurthi served there for four years before joining the Ministry of Defence as Deputy Director of the Defence Electronic Research Laboratory. He later moved to the Cabinet Secretariat in New Delhi as Technical Adviser. For the last five years of his service, he worked as Chief Controller R&D, Defense, and he retired in 1984. For the last 25 years, Krishnamurthi has been a social worker trying to promote welfare of the downtrodden in villages. A founder trustee of the M. Venkatarangaiya Foundation, he is presently its Chairman.