Global workforce reductions announced by SAP and Novo Nordisk have begun to affect employees in India, particularly in Bengaluru, where both companies maintain significant operations.
The layoffs are part of broader strategic shifts driven by technological transformation and cost optimization.
SAP Restructures Amid AI and Cloud Transition
German software giant SAP has initiated layoffs in India as part of its global restructuring plan.
The company is responding to rapid changes in the enterprise technology landscape, particularly the shift toward artificial intelligence and cloud-based solutions.
SAP confirmed that it is “continuously optimising processes and structures” while making strategic investments in growth areas such as AI-driven software development.
SAP India hosts the company’s largest R&D hub outside Germany, employing over 15,000 people. It began implementing job cuts two weeks ago.
While the exact number of affected employees has not been disclosed, sources indicate that mid-level roles are primarily impacted.
Affected staff have reportedly been offered generous severance packages and outplacement support.
SAP CFO Dominik Asam recently stated that AI will allow the company to “build more software with fewer people,” reinforcing SAP’s five-year plan to boost productivity and margins.
The company had earlier announced that 1%–2% of its global workforce would be impacted in 2025.
Novo Nordisk Cuts 150 Roles in India
Danish pharmaceutical major Novo Nordisk is also undergoing a significant workforce reduction, with 9,000 global job cuts announced in September 2025.
The company’s Global Business Services (GBS) hub in Bengaluru, which employs over 4,500 people, is among the affected locations.
Sources confirm that 150 employees in India have been laid off.
The affected roles are primarily junior to mid-level positions across departments including sales, marketing, people and organisation, quality, legal, product supply, R&D, and finance.
Novo Nordisk plans to save $1.25 billion annually through these layoffs.
The decision follows years of rapid expansion fueled by the success of its semaglutide-based drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy.
Interestingly, the layoffs coincide with India’s recent approval of Ozempic for treating type 2 diabetes.
The Bengaluru GBS team has played a critical role in supporting the drug’s development.
Their contributions span clinical trials, biostatistics, data management, pharmacovigilance, and global safety surveillance.
Novo Nordisk stated that it would not disclose site-specific details out of respect for affected employees.
The company emphasized that its highest priority is to support employees during the transition.
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