Qualcomm layoffs may hit over 1,000 jobs in India
Qualcomm's global job cuts could affect more than 1,000 employees in India, an analyst estimates. The company has not confirmed numbers or severance terms.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Quick answer
More than 1,000 jobs could be at risk in India as Qualcomm cuts staff worldwide, though the company has not confirmed any India figure. CEO Cristiano Amon called it a "performance-focused reduction", and Qualcomm has not disclosed severance terms.
Key facts
- CEO Cristiano Amon described the exercise as a "performance-focused reduction" in a 19 October memo.
- Analyst Pareekh Jain estimates around 1,000 Indian employees could be affected.
- Qualcomm had about 57,000 employees worldwide as of 27 September 2026.
- Fiscal 2026 revenue was $43.12 billion, down 3% year-on-year.
- Qualcomm has not confirmed the India layoffs or answered questions on severance.
What Qualcomm has said
In an internal memo dated 19 October, reviewed by Reuters, CEO Cristiano Amon called the move a "performance-focused reduction" following annual employee reviews. Notifications were expected to begin in November. He said it was meant to build "a stronger performance culture". Business priorities, organisational needs and required skills would decide which roles go.
Qualcomm did not answer The Hindu's questions on whether layoffs had begun in India, how many staff are affected, which locations and divisions are involved, or what severance is on offer.
How many jobs in India
Analyst Pareekh Jain of EIIRTrend estimates around 1,000 Indian employees could be hit. He said the cuts seem to span levels and are not necessarily performance-based. Qualcomm's 2023 sustainability report put India at 36% of a 50,257-strong global workforce, about 18,100 people. Its offices in India include Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Noida, plus Mumbai and the National Capital Region.
Anonymous posts on Reddit describe separations in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, including notifications on 11 November, but these could not be independently verified.
Employee accounts and severance
Indian media have carried personal accounts. NDTV's headline describes an IIT graduate who wanted to leave Qualcomm and received 15 months' salary after being laid off. The Times of India reports an employee who said his manager confirmed his layoff days before his wedding. Only the headlines of these two reports were available, and Qualcomm has not confirmed severance terms.
Legal questions and finances
Alagunambi Welkin, president of the Union of IT and ITES Employees, questioned whether Qualcomm had obtained the government approvals needed. He cited the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, under which prior permission could be mandatory in certain Tamil Nadu establishments. The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, in force since 21 November 2025, raised the approval threshold from 100 to 300 workers, but Tamil Nadu has issued only draft rules.
Qualcomm reported fiscal 2026 revenue of $43.12 billion, down 3%, with fourth-quarter revenue down 8% to $10.32 billion.
Frequently asked questions
How many Qualcomm jobs are at risk in India?
An analyst estimates around 1,000. Qualcomm has not disclosed or confirmed a figure.
What severance is Qualcomm offering?
The company has not said. NDTV's headline mentions one laid-off employee receiving 15 months' salary.
Why is Qualcomm cutting jobs?
CEO Cristiano Amon called it a performance-focused reduction after annual reviews.
Where does Qualcomm operate in India?
Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Noida, with offices in Mumbai and the NCR.
