Dismissing reports that he might step down from office to take up a diplomatic assignment, Infosys Chairman and Chief Mentor N R Narayana Murthy on Saturday said he would continue to be at the helm of affairs till he is 60 in August 2006.

"There is no such thing. I will continue to be the chairman and chief mentor of Infosys until the age of 60. I am 56 years and 10 months old now, and will continue, unless I am mentally or physically incapacitated," he told reporters in Bangalore on the sidelines of the 22nd annual general meeting of the Nasdaq-listed, Bangalore-headquartered software major.

There were media reports earlier this week that Murthy may step down and accept to become Ambassador of India to a western country.