Indian Startups Cut Over 4,500 Employees

Indian startups have cut more than 4,500 jobs over the past eight months, TOI reported on Feb. 27, 2026, citing Longhouse Consulting. The report links the surge in layoffs to regulatory shocks (notably an online real-money gaming ban), tighter capital flows, and investor pressure for profitability, while AI-driven efficiency explains some cuts at companies like Livspace. The trend suggests leaner hiring and targeted automation across the ecosystem.