US-based semiconductor company Qualcomm has begun cutting jobs in India as part of a broader global workforce restructuring, leaving affected employees concerned about their compensation, benefits and next career steps. The reported layoffs began in Bengaluru on November 9, 2026, and could extend to the company's engineering and research facilities in Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi-NCR.
Although Qualcomm has not officially disclosed the total number of employees affected or confirmed the severance terms, reports based on information from employees suggest that the compensation package could include several months of salary, additional payments linked to years of service and an incentive for accepting exit terms within a specified deadline.
The development comes as the chipmaker reassesses its workforce and business priorities amid challenges in its smartphone chip business and plans to expand into artificial intelligence, automotive technology and data-centre infrastructure.
Qualcomm Layoffs: What Severance Pay Could Employees Receive?
According to reports citing employees familiar with the restructuring, affected workers in India have reportedly been offered severance compensation linked to their salaries and tenure at the company.
The reported package includes:
- Salary compensation: Around three months' salary has been reported as part of the exit package, with the final amount potentially depending on an employee's tenure and individual agreement.
- Additional payment for early acceptance: Employees who sign their separation documents within a specified period have reportedly been offered an extra month's salary.
- Tenure-based benefits: Compensation may vary according to the employee's length of service and the terms of their separation agreement.
Some accounts shared by employees online describe different calculations, including a base payment equivalent to two weeks of gross salary plus another two weeks for each year of service. Other reports refer to a package structured around three months' salary and additional tenure-linked compensation.
These accounts have not been independently confirmed by Qualcomm, and the precise terms may differ between employees. The company has not publicly announced a standard severance policy for the current round of layoffs.
Employees receiving separation documents should therefore examine their individual agreements carefully, including the payment calculation, deadlines, benefits and any conditions attached to accepting the offer.
Around 1,000 Indian Jobs Could Be at Risk
The scale of the workforce reduction in India remains uncertain. Industry estimates have suggested that approximately 1,000 positions could be affected, although some reports indicate that the final number may be lower.
The initial round of layoffs reportedly began in Bengaluru, with experienced employees and senior engineers among those affected. Further reductions could extend to Qualcomm's other major Indian technology centres.
India is an important engineering and research hub for the company, with teams working on wireless communications, semiconductor design, connectivity technologies and software development.
The restructuring is particularly significant because the affected workforce reportedly includes employees who had several years of experience. Some workers have also questioned the performance-related explanation for the cuts, saying they had received positive feedback before being informed of their exits.
Qualcomm has not publicly confirmed the number of Indian employees who will lose their jobs.
Why Is Qualcomm Cutting Jobs?
The workforce reduction follows an internal communication from chief executive Cristiano Amon in October 2026. He described the exercise as a performance-focused restructuring following annual employee reviews.
The company said decisions would take into account business priorities, organisational requirements and the skills needed to support future growth.
Qualcomm is also facing pressure in its core smartphone business. Softer consumer electronics demand and rising memory prices have affected the broader smartphone market, while the company has warned of a faster-than-expected decline in revenue associated with Apple products.
At the same time, Qualcomm is expanding beyond smartphones into automotive chips, connected devices, artificial intelligence and data-centre technologies.
What Should Affected Employees Check?
Employees who receive layoff notices should review the separation agreement before signing it. Important details include the total severance amount, the last working day, outstanding salary, unused leave payments, applicable bonuses, insurance coverage and any conditions governing additional compensation.
They should also check whether accepting the agreement affects their ability to pursue employment-related claims and seek independent legal advice if any clause is unclear.
For now, Qualcomm's exact severance arrangements and the final number of employees affected remain unconfirmed. The reported packages offer some indication of the compensation being discussed, but individual agreements will determine what each employee is entitled to receive.
