Tech layoffs in 2026: Oracle, Meta and Cisco cuts, and what they mean for Indian job seekers

Big technology companies have cut tens of thousands of jobs in 2026. Here is what was reported as of late June 2026, and what job seekers can take from it.

The totals

• Challenger, Gray & Christmas: US layoffs rose for three months in a row to 97,000 in May, the highest May since 2020. Tech has shed more than 123,000 workers so far this year, 66% more than the same period of 2025.
• TrueUp's wider tracker puts the 2026 tech total near 160,000, close to the full-year 2025 figure of about 245,000.

Company cuts reported

• Oracle: 21,000 jobs, about 13% of staff, over the past 12 months
• Meta: about 8,000 jobs (10% of staff), plus 6,000 open roles removed, to fund AI spending
• Cisco: nearly 4,000 jobs
• Atlassian: 1,600 jobs. Coinbase: 700. GitLab: about 350 (14% of staff).
• Cloudflare: about 1,100 people, roughly 20% of global staff

Is AI the reason?

Companies say AI is both a way to save costs and an area where they want to spend more. Oracle's annual filing says AI adoption may continue to lead to job reductions. Some analysts argue AI is partly an explanation for correcting hiring that was too fast after the pandemic. Both views exist, and the reports do not settle it.

What it means for India

• Many global tech firms run large teams in India, so global cuts can reach Indian offices. Check company news before accepting an offer.
• Roles tied directly to AI, data and cloud are still growing in India. See our report on September hiring for the numbers.
• Keep your CV, LinkedIn and phone number ready. People who are quick to reply to recruiters find new roles faster.
• Build one skill that is hard to automate: customer handling, field work, sales, or a technical trade.

These figures come from US trackers and media reports and may be revised. They show global direction, not an Indian count.