Amazon cuts over 500 roles in India as tech and HR teams bear brunt

Amazon has laid off more than 500 employees in India, with technology and human resources teams emerging as the most affected, as part of a broader global restructuring that will eliminate over 16,000 roles worldwide.

People familiar with the matter told Inc42 that between 500 and 700 employees were impacted across Amazon’s India operations. Software development engineer (SDE) roles accounted for a significant share of the cuts, alongside positions in HR and support functions.

The job reductions mark the latest round of workforce rationalisation at the US technology major, which has been steadily trimming headcount over the past year as it simplifies its organisational structure and sharpens focus on long-term priorities.

Focus on flatter structures

Amazon declined to comment directly on the India-specific layoffs. Instead, it referred queries to an internal note issued by Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology, which confirmed that the company was making additional organisational changes affecting around 16,000 roles globally.

In the note, Galetti said the changes were aimed at reducing layers, increasing ownership and removing bureaucracy, while strengthening the organisation for the future. She added that affected employees would receive transition support, including severance pay, outplacement services and continued health insurance benefits, subject to local regulations.

Galetti also said Amazon would continue hiring in select strategic areas and stressed that the restructuring should not be interpreted as a signal of frequent, large-scale layoffs.

Part of a longer reset

The latest cuts follow earlier layoffs in India. Inc42 reported in November that Amazon eliminated up to 1,500 roles across teams including Prime Video, HR, AWS and retail operations. Those reductions affected mid-senior and senior employees in offices across Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai, with some teams reportedly shut down entirely.

Globally, Amazon has been reworking its cost base and operating model as it redirects investment towards artificial intelligence, automation and core growth engines, amid slowing growth in certain mature segments.

Wider industry pressures

Amazon’s India layoffs come against a backdrop of sustained job losses across the technology and startup ecosystem. Industry trackers estimate that Indian startups cut more than 9,500 jobs in 2025, as companies grappled with funding constraints, margin pressure and rapid AI-led automation.

Analysts say large technology firms are increasingly reassessing workforce needs as productivity gains from AI tools begin to alter how software development, operations and corporate functions are staffed.

For Amazon, the challenge now lies in balancing efficiency with execution, as it attempts to streamline its organisation without weakening its ability to deliver across key markets such as India, which remains central to its long-term growth strategy.