Qualcomm Begins Layoffs in India, Affecting Approximately 1,000 Employees
Qualcomm has initiated layoffs in India, impacting around 1,000 employees as part of a global workforce reduction strategy.
New Delhi, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : Qualcomm, the American technology giant, has commenced layoffs in India as part of a broader global workforce reduction strategy. Reports indicate that nearly 1,000 employees could be affected, representing about 5-6% of the company’s total workforce in the country.
The layoffs reportedly began at Qualcomm’s office in Bengaluru, primarily impacting senior engineers and those with several years of experience. In the coming days, the restructuring may also affect the company’s engineering and research centers located in Hyderabad, the Delhi-NCR region, and Chennai.
Affected employees have been offered severance pay equivalent to three months’ salary, along with additional compensation based on their tenure at the company. Reports suggest that those who sign their exit documents within three days may receive an extra month’s salary as an incentive.
However, Qualcomm has not publicly confirmed these severance arrangements. CEO Cristiano Amon announced the global workforce restructuring on October 20, stating that the layoffs would follow the company’s annual performance review process. The company characterized this move as performance-focused, aimed at strengthening accountability and aligning its workforce with changing business priorities.
The layoffs of senior engineers and experienced staff have raised concerns that the company may also be looking to streamline its organizational structure and cut costs. Reports indicate that employee selection for layoffs may be based on individual performance evaluations, team-level assessments, and feedback from senior management, including insights from the company’s business leadership in the U.S.
Employees have reported potential cuts within the radio frequency (RF), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) engineering teams. Qualcomm’s revenue is heavily reliant on the global smartphone market, which is currently under pressure. In response, the company is attempting to diversify into artificial intelligence (AI), automotive technology, connected devices, and semiconductor operations related to data centers.
The pace of layoffs among global tech companies has accelerated in 2026, with over 80,000 jobs eliminated in the first quarter alone. Total layoffs for the year are expected to exceed 300,000, with companies like Oracle, Amazon, and Meta leading the trend.
