Global semiconductor giant Qualcomm has reportedly begun laying off employees in India about 1,000 or more jobs may be affected. The news has sent jitters across India’s technology and semiconductor industries (engineers, R&D, software and wireless technology divisions).
The reported workforce reduction comes at a time when the global technology industry is changing rapidly with companies re-evaluating operating costs, business priorities and workforce requirements. Qualcomm which has a major presence in India’s technology ecosystem is one of those companies that is under increasing pressure to adjust its operations to changing market conditions.
The layoffs could affect employees in multiple teams and business functions but the actual number of job cuts, departments affected and locations haven’t been independently confirmed. The figure of 1000 or more employees is just a reported potential headcount not an actual count. Employees and industry watchers are watching to see if cuts will be specific divisions only or across the company’s entire Indian operations.
Qualcomm’s Indian operations are significant because India is one of its biggest engineering and research centres outside the US. The company has major R&D facilities in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR and Chennai. These centres develop semiconductor technologies; wireless communication systems; smartphone processors and other advanced technology solutions. Bengaluru especially has emerged as Qualcomm’s engineering centre of choice.
Reports of layoffs at its Bengaluru facility have therefore been followed closely by India’s techies particularly those in the semiconductor and software engineering space. First round of layoffs began at Bengaluru facility on Monday (Nov 9) and further cuts expected in phases: Financial Express report says
The size of the job cuts has been a hot topic. Qualcomm reportedly employs about 20,000 people in India. Industry analyst Pareekh Jain, CEO of EIIRTrend said that around 1,000 employees or maybe slightly more could be affected if India sees workforce reduction at a level similar to the global estimates (global restructuring was originally projected to affect ~7% of company’s workforce).
There is a difference between estimates and confirmed numbers. Separately Investing.com citing people familiar with the matter reported that number of employees in India who will lose jobs could be much lower than 1,000. The company hasn’t publicly announced how many Indian employees will lose their jobs.
The restructuring isn’t just for junior employees some reports say experienced engineers as well as newly hired employees could be impacted. Employees who have reportedly received layoff notices have complained that they weren’t selected based on performance and didn’t get feedback about their performance in advance. The reported developments have caused employees to ask how the company is evaluating roles, performance and future workforce needs.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon had reportedly communicated to employees about the global workforce reduction in October through an internal communication. He said it was a performance-focused restructuring to strengthen the company’s performance culture.
The communication reviewed by Reuters said that the company would weigh business priorities, organisational requirements and employee skills and expertise when deciding which positions should be cut. Notifications were expected to start in November after the annual employee review process.
The company has also reportedly planned severance packages for employees laid off in India. The Financial Express reported some employees have been offered three months salary (depending on tenure) compensation. Those who sign their relieving documents within 3 days are said to be offered an additional month’s salary as well. Compensation terms may vary depending on individual cases and employees should refer to their official separation documents for the applicable details.
Another reason for the restructuring is that business environment in global smartphone and semiconductor markets has changed. Qualcomm traditionally has gotten most of its revenue from smartphone processors and wireless technologies but weak demand for smartphones, higher memory component prices and uncertainty about consumer electronics spending have put pressure on industry.
Investing.com reports that Qualcomm recently reported a 26% drop in handset revenue but overall quarterly revenue was $10.44 billion (up from market expectations of $10.14 billion) earnings per share $2.17. So even though overall revenue was strong it’s still under pressure with its traditional handset business.
At the same time Qualcomm is looking outside smartphone market for new growth. It’s increasingly focusing on artificial intelligence, data centres, automotive technology, connected devices and advanced computing solutions. Growing into those areas could help it diversify its revenue streams (and reduce dependence on businesses related to smartphones). The workforce restructuring is happening as part of an organisational change as the company adjusts its structure to reflect changing business priorities.
The layoffs could ripple through India’s technology employment market particularly Bengaluru where several multinational semiconductor and technology companies have major engineering centres. Qualcomm’s move has also left professionals worried about job security and the changing needs of the semiconductor industry. For engineers and technology workers these developments also highlight that adapting to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, chip design, cloud computing and advanced semiconductor development is vital.
As of Nov 11, 2026, nobody knows for sure how many employees in India will be affected. Industry estimates have put the number at 1,000 or more jobs but other reports say it may be much lower. Qualcomm hasn’t announced the final headcount reduction in India yet. Employees, industry experts and technology professionals will be watching closely as restructuring continues over the coming weeks.
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