Qualcomm begins layoffs, 1,000 employees in India could lose their jobs, starting in Bengaluru

November 11, 2026

New Delhi: As American semiconductor company Qualcomm prepares to reduce its workforce globally, layoffs are also reported to be underway in India. According to reports, this decision by the company could result in the loss of jobs for approximately 1,000 employees in India. This represents approximately 5 to 6 percent of the total workforce in the company’s Indian offices.

The first phase of layoffs is reportedly beginning in the Bengaluru office. Subsequently, engineering and research centers in Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR, and Chennai may also be affected.

Layoffs begin in Bengaluru, senior engineers also affected

According to reports, senior engineers and employees with many years of experience are being targeted in this initial phase of layoffs. According to an IANS report, the number of employees in various Qualcomm departments in India may be reduced. These include RF, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GNSS engineering teams.

The company is reportedly selecting employees for layoffs based on individual performance, team assessment, and senior management input. The US-based company’s business leaders are also reportedly involved in this process.

It’s worth noting that Canva previously underwent a major restructuring, reducing its global workforce by 22 percent. This decision resulted in the loss of approximately 1,271 employees. Many companies worldwide are taking similar steps to reduce their costs.

Affected employees will receive a severance package

According to reports, the employees being laid off are being offered three months’ salary as part of a severance package. Additionally, additional payments will be made based on their length of service with the company.

It is also being claimed that employees who sign their exit documents within three days of receiving them will be given an additional one-month salary as an incentive.

However, Qualcomm has not yet officially confirmed the terms of these alleged severance packages.

Reports of layoffs have raised concerns among employees, especially because it is being reported that experienced engineers and senior positions who have been with the company for a long time will also be affected.

Global Restructuring Based on Performance Reviews

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon announced a global restructuring of employees on October 20th following the company’s annual performance appraisal.

The company has described this initiative as a performance-based measure. It aims to increase employee accountability and align the workforce with the company’s new business priorities.

However, given the scale and nature of the layoffs in India, they are being seen as both an organizational restructuring and a cost-cutting strategy.

Qualcomm Expands Beyond the Smartphone Business

Qualcomm’s decision comes as the company is expanding its business beyond the global smartphone market. The smartphone segment remains a major source of revenue for the company.

However, the company is now also focusing on semiconductor businesses related to artificial intelligence (AI), automotive, connected devices, and data centers. It is believed that these areas will become more important for the company in the future amid changing demands and competition in the technology industry.

Increasing Layoffs in the Tech Industry

The news of layoffs at Qualcomm also reflects the ongoing trend of global workforce reductions in the technology sector. According to reports, more than 80,000 jobs were lost in the tech industry in the first quarter of 2026. The annual number of layoffs is expected to increase further in the future. Major tech companies like Oracle, Amazon, and Meta have also previously cut their workforce.