As part of a broader global restructuring, Google has started implementing job cuts in several key business divisions. The impact has now reached India, where layoffs are set to begin next week—primarily targeting employees in advertising, sales, and marketing roles.
While Google has already slashed hundreds of positions worldwide in its Platforms and Devices division—including units behind Android, Chrome, and Pixel—its India operations appear to be taking a more calculated route. In offices located in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, the tech giant is reportedly reassigning engineering teams to higher-priority, revenue-generating projects rather than initiating widespread cuts immediately.
Sources indicate that non-engineering departments will bear the brunt of this wave, with affected teams already receiving early signals. This restructuring follows Google’s ongoing efforts to boost agility and streamline operations following the merger of its Platforms and Devices units in 2023.
A company spokesperson confirmed that the workforce reductions are part of a strategic initiative to enhance operational efficiency and ensure alignment with evolving business goals. Earlier this year, Google also rolled out voluntary exit packages to manage talent transitions more smoothly.
This isn’t the first major restructuring at Google. In early 2023, the company laid off 12,000 employees globally, accounting for roughly 6% of its total workforce. Those cuts affected functions spanning engineering, product development, and corporate operations—India was impacted during that round as well.
More recently, Google’s parent company Alphabet announced layoffs in divisions like YouTube, hardware, and ad sales as part of broader cost-cutting measures aimed at responding to slowing revenue growth and increasing pressure in the AI arms race.
Despite the looming uncertainty for many employees, industry experts see Google’s decision to retain and redeploy engineering talent in India as a strategic effort to preserve technical expertise. With India offering a cost-efficient talent pool, the focus seems to be shifting towards productivity and performance-driven restructuring rather than blanket layoffs.
As the next phase of changes unfolds, employees in at-risk sectors are bracing for official communication in the coming days. The full scope of India’s involvement in Google’s global workforce overhaul will become clearer soon—but one thing is certain: the tech landscape continues to evolve, and adaptability remains key.
