Qualcomm begins job cuts in India, about 1,000 roles reported at risk
12 November 2026 · 2 min read · HireHo
Based on Business Standard (citing Financial Express and Reuters) and Business Today (citing Moneycontrol), 11 November 2026. Summarised in our own words.
Chipmaker Qualcomm has started laying off staff in India, according to media reports on 11 November 2026. Qualcomm has not publicly said how many jobs it plans to cut in India. The numbers below are reported estimates.
What is reported
- Business Standard, citing Financial Express, says the first round started on Monday at the Bengaluru facility. Business Today, citing Moneycontrol, gives the date as 9 November.
- Financial Express estimates India, with about 20,000 Qualcomm employees, could see around 1,000 job losses or slightly more. Business Today says other reports suggest the real figure could be much lower.
- Cuts are expected to spread in phases to Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR and Chennai.
- Per Financial Express, the cuts affect senior engineers and recent hires. Some affected staff reportedly said they had received no earlier performance feedback.
- Financial Express also reports another round could come in January.
Severance, as reported
Financial Express, as cited by Business Standard, says affected employees were offered three months' salary linked to tenure. Those who signed relieving papers within three days were reportedly offered one more month. Business Today did not report severance terms. These offers are not confirmed by the company.
The company's side
Business Standard cites Reuters saying CEO Cristiano Amon described the reduction in an October internal memo as performance-focused, to strengthen the company's performance culture. The article says the global restructuring could affect about 7% of Qualcomm's roughly 52,000 employees, but does not attribute that figure to a named source.
The business background
Last week Qualcomm reported handset revenue down 26% to $5.14 billion and total revenue down 8% to $10.32 billion for the September quarter. It blamed pressure on the smartphone market, including higher memory chip costs.
What this means for you
- If you are offered an exit package, read the papers fully and ask for time to review before you sign.
- Keep your latest payslips, offer letter and appraisal records in one place.
- Chip design and embedded engineers will be looking for roles in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, so competition for those jobs may rise in the coming weeks.