Cognizant to Cut 15,000 Jobs Globally; India to Bear Major Impact
Cognizant is expected to reduce its global workforce by around 15,000 employees, with India likely facing the largest share of job losses. Reports suggest that between 12,000 and 13,000 positions could be eliminated in India alone, where the company has a major workforce hub of over 250,000 employees. This move is expected to be among the biggest tech layoffs of 2026, following similar cuts at other global tech firms.
The estimates are based on Cognizant’s planned severance expenditure of $230 million to $320 million, announced during its recent earnings call. Assuming an average severance package of about six months’ salary, analysts suggest this budget aligns with the projected job cuts under its restructuring initiative, internally referred to as “Project Leap.” The average compensation for affected employees in India is estimated at around ₹7.5 lakh per person.
The company’s leadership has indicated a major organizational shift, with CEO Ravi Kumar S noting a move toward a “broader and shorter pyramid” structure that blends digital and human labor. Industry observers say the layoffs reflect changing client demands, with companies increasingly reducing dependence on large entry-level hiring pipelines and traditional staffing models.
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