Rs 92 lakh salary, zero safety: Bengaluru startup fires 40% staff in one day

Job losses are no longer rare occurrences in India’s technology industry. Even professionals drawing impressive pay packages are discovering that a hefty salary does not guarantee stability. What once appeared to be a dependable path of steady promotions and expanding opportunities has increasingly been disrupted by abrupt downsizing drives at emerging companies.

A recent example surfaced on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. According to posts circulating online, a Bengaluru-based IT startup reportedly eliminated nearly 40 percent of its workforce in a single day. The speed and scale of the move left employees stunned, as many had not anticipated such sweeping action.

The episode was brought to public attention by chartered accountant Arpit Goyal, who shared details of the situation involving a close acquaintance employed at the affected firm. He described the account as genuine and emphasized how abruptly the decision had unfolded.

High Pay, Low Protection

Goyal explained that his friend works at the Bengaluru startup where the reduction occurred and earns an annual cost-to-company package of ₹92 lakh. The figure highlights a stark reality: even individuals in top-tier salary brackets are not immune to restructuring measures when companies decide to trim expenses. Lucrative compensation, once viewed as a shield against uncertainty, now appears insufficient in the face of aggressive cost management.

Beyond the financial shock, the human impact of the layoffs has been particularly distressing. Goyal recounted that one employee who lost his position was on the verge of becoming a father, with his child expected to arrive within days. Another affected staff member, a pregnant woman preparing to request maternity leave, also found herself caught in the sudden downsizing.

These personal stories underscore the emotional toll such decisions can impose. For many workers, employment is not merely a source of income but the foundation upon which major life milestones are planned. The abrupt termination of roles, especially during vulnerable phases of life, serves as a sobering reminder that volatility has become an undeniable feature of today’s startup ecosystem.