EMPLOYEE SALARY INCREMENTS INDIA
8th Pay Commission: High fitment factor vs high increment rate; how salaries of Level 5-7 employees may change over 10 years
8th Pay Commission calculator: The growth of central government employees' salaries heavily relies on fitment factors and annual increment rates. Various organizations have proposed differing fitment factors and increment rates for the 8th Pay Commission. Salary estimates reveal the potential financial impacts for Level 5-7 employees based on varying conditions. A high increment rate could potentially close the salary gap over time compared to a high fitment factor.
Farmer's son from small Tamil Nadu village builds Rs 1.5-crore software business after quitting nine-year Chennai IT career & starting with just two laptops
Eswaran Arumugam launched his Tamil Nadu-based software venture, Yaa Creations, with just Rs 1 lakh borrowed from his brother and two laptops. The business faced several hurdles, including financial strain, disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and accumulated debt of Rs 5 lakh. However, he gradually turned things around and expanded operations. Today, the company, headquartered in Rasipuram in Namakkal district, employs 26 people, serves clients in seven countries and completed projects worth Rs 1.5 crore in 2025.
Amid layoff season, this Bengaluru company is paying employees to quit and start their own business and return back if things don't work out
Amid layoffs and voluntary buyout offers at global tech companies, Bengaluru-based iD Fresh Food is encouraging employees to quit and start their own businesses. CEO Musthafa PC's entrepreneurship policy offers a partially paid sabbatical, mentorship, access to the company's business network and an option to return if their ventures fail.
Qualcomm global recast may cost 1,000 jobs in India
The US chipmaker employs about 20,000 people in India, mainly at its engineering and design facilities in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and the National Capital Region. ET first reported in October that its global restructuring could affect 600-1,000 jobs in India.
Xiaomi eyes local partners; Electronics firms target AI infra
Xiaomi is looking for local partners as it plans to manufacture home appliances in India. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Kiley Pulley Walmart career: How a college dropout went from cashier to store manager, bought a house and earns six figures like CEO John Furner
Kiley Pulley, the youngest Walmart store manager in the US, draws parallels with that of Walmart CEO John Furner, who started his career at the retailer as a part-time hourly associate in the garden centre in 1993. Kiley Pulley, who i just 23, has brought her own house and earns a six-figure salary. Both Pulley and Furner began their Walmart journeys in entry-level positions.
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Qualcomm layoffs severance package: 3 months' salary, extra payout based on years of service & one more month's pay for signing exit papers within 3 days; what employees are being offered
Qualcomm has reportedly begun laying off employees in India as part of a global workforce restructuring exercise that could affect around 1,000 staff, or 5–6% of its workforce in the country. Reports suggest affected employees may be offered three months' salary as severance, with additional compensation based on tenure and an extra month's pay for those who sign exit documents within three days. Qualcomm has not publicly confirmed the reported severance package.

Higher EPS pension: Pensioners request Labour Ministry to withdraw EPFO circular rejecting exempted employees' higher pension claims
The National Confederation of Pensioners' Associations has requested the Labour Ministry's urgent intervention in pending pension cases. They seek to withdraw a circular from January 2025 that affects higher EPS pension eligibility. The NCPA emphasizes eliminating discrimination between exempted and unexempted establishments regarding pension rights. They have proposed several recommendations to streamline the processing of pension applications and address delays.

Qualcomm initiates India layoffs: Here’s how much employees will get in severance
Qualcomm has begun implementing planned job cuts globally, affecting employees in India and the US (in California).

Nvidia pays for CEO Jensen Huang’s home security, travel, drivers and car expenses: How much does it cost to protect him and his family?
Nvidia reported nearly $4 million in security-related costs for CEO Jensen Huang in fiscal 2026. The disclosure covers residential protection, personal-travel security, consultation fees and driver services, but does not reveal how many guards protect his home. The filing comes as Nvidia investigates reports of an alleged foreign intelligence effort targeting its CEO.

EPFO’s November 19 meeting to be held in New Delhi: Can EPFO increase minimum EPS pension from Rs 1,000?
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation is gearing up for its 240th Central Board of Trustees assembly, scheduled for November 19, 2026, in New Delhi. However, official confirmation from the government about these proposed changes is still pending, even as calls for enhanced pension benefits persist.

France eases job-loss rules for foreign workers, cuts residence permit processing time
France has introduced significant immigration changes from October 30, 2026, giving foreign workers more time to find new jobs after unemployment and reducing residence permit processing timelines. Under the revised rules, Temporary Worker permit holders get three months to secure new employment, while EU Blue Card holders get six months without immediately losing their residence status.

Microsoft reports $36 billion quaterly profit, employees complain salary raises below 1%, describe workplace as 'joyless and demoralizing' after 60,000 people receive buyout offers
Microsoft reported a 32% jump in quarterly profit to $36.6 billion but its employees complain of salary increases below 1%, rising workloads and pressure to use AI tools. An open letter describes the workplace as “joyless and demoralizing” following voluntary buyout offers to around 60,000 employees across four countries.

DA hike: Diwali bonanza for UP govt employees, 63% raise announced; revised rates effective from July 1
The revised allowance will be reflected in the November salary, while the arrears for the preceding four months will be deposited separately into their provident fund accounts. The announcement comes ahead of Diwali, with the revised allowance set to benefit a large section of the state's workforce.

Rs 8.02 lakh leave encashment tax exemption denied: Retired employee wins case in ITAT Surat
Retiree Mr. Patel from Bharuch, Gujarat, sought a complete tax exemption on Rs 8.02 lakh of leave encashment. Initially, his company certified only Rs 3 lakh as exempt. The Income Tax Department later imposed tax on an additional Rs 5.02 lakh. To challenge this ruling, Patel approached the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in Surat, which sided with him, citing the Department's failure to provide justifiable reasons.

8th Pay Commission: Rs 69,000 minimum pay, 40% HRA, 67% pension; 5 key NC-JCM demands and their impact on payouts
The National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery has submitted essential recommendations to the 8th Pay Commission that could impact central government employees. Key proposals include a significant increase in minimum pay, pension, and annual increments. The council also suggests revising house rent allowance rates and allowing leave encashment for up to 600 days. If implemented, these changes could benefit over one crore employees and pensioners financially.

After laying off thousands, Meta now offers voluntary exit packages like Google and Microsoft. Here's all you need to know
Meta has launched a voluntary exit programme in France, designed to reorganize its team while pivoting towards artificial intelligence development. This attractive package includes severance pay, mobility leave, and extensive career support for transitioning employees. This initiative reflects a growing trend in the tech industry, as companies like Google and Microsoft are also adopting similar voluntary separation strategies. Employees wishing to participate must apply by November 5.

Uttarakhand announces 3% DA hike for employees ahead of Diwali
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushakar Singh Dhami has approved a 3% increase in Dearness Allowance for state employees. This decision raises the DA rate from 60% to 63%. The increase follows a similar decision by the union government, effective since July 1. The benefits of this increase will extend to various personnel in local bodies and educational institutions.

Google voluntary buyouts: What's the exit package, which teams qualify and how many employees are eligible after Microsoft's similar offer?
Google Voluntary Exit Programme Details: Google has expanded its voluntary buyout programme to selected employees in five countries. The offer comes as Microsoft rolls out a similar voluntary exit scheme covering around 60,000 employees. Here's a look at Google's severance package, eligible teams and the number of employees who could opt for the offer.

Ahead of Diwali, Gujarat govt hikes DA by 3% for employees, pensioners
The Gujarat government has announced a 3% Dearness Allowance hike for 4.62 lakh serving employees and 5.07 lakh pensioners ahead of Diwali. Effective from July 1, 2026, the increase will bring four months of arrears with November salaries and pensions, costing the state Rs 523 crore in arrears.

Canva layoffs severance package: From six months’ salary, $10,000 grants to MacBooks, here’s what company has promised affected employees following a 22% workforce reduction
Canva layoff news: Canva Group has announced plans to lay off approximately 1,271 employees as part of a major restructuring effort. The company aims to consolidate its teams to enhance operational efficiency and clarify ownership. Employees affected by the layoffs will receive a generous severance package, which includes financial support for their future endeavors. Canva will require some staff to relocate to Sydney, where product teams will be centralized.

36-48 months of salary as Diwali bonus, rumours or true? Micron's bonanza to Indian employees confirmed by techie
Micron employees in India are reportedly receiving massive Diwali bonuses, with some payouts allegedly running into several times their annual salaries. Reddit discussions and posts on X have highlighted claims of employees receiving lakhs in cash and additional stock awards. One recently hired employee reportedly received Rs 12 lakh in cash and Rs 8 lakh worth of RSUs against an annual package of Rs 7-8 lakh.

CCI approves Kotak Mahindra Bank's acquisition of Deutsche Bank's India retail banking business
Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited has received approval from the Competition Commission of India for its acquisition. This acquisition involves Deutsche Bank AG's retail, private banking, and wealth management businesses in India. The deal includes significant assets like loans and deposits, benefiting around 150,000 customers. Additionally, a referral arrangement will be established between both banks through their affiliates.

Diwali bonus dilemma: Should a nanny earning Rs 40,000 per month from Pune family get the same festive monthly bonus as a maid?
A Pune family’s question about how much Diwali bonus to pay its domestic workers has led to a debate on Reddit. The family pays its nanny Rs 40,000 per month, compared with Rs 7,000 for its cook and Rs 4,000 for its maid, and is unsure whether the nanny should receive an entire month's salary as a festive bonus. While some Reddit users suggested paying 10-50% of her monthly salary, others argued that one month's salary is the customary Diwali bonus.

8th Pay Commission pension calculator: How Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000 basic pensions can change at 2.0, 2.25 and 2.57 fitment factors
8th Pay Commission news: The central government has many more pensioners than employees. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced DA and DR hikes that will benefit both employees and pensioners. The 8th Pay Commission will consider various recommendations regarding pension adjustments. Estimates show potential pension increases based on fitment factors of 2.0, 2.25, and 2.57. However, the final decision will be made once the Commission releases its report.

India's ESOP tax rules need reform to ease employee burden
India’s ESOP tax rules impose tax on unrealised gains before employees receive cash, creating liquidity pressures. Reforming taxation through deferrals or concessional rates could encourage employee ownership and ease the burden.

8th Pay Commission salary calculator: What 7% increment rate means for employees with Rs 53,100, Rs 56,100 and Rs 67,700 basic pays
8th Pay Commisssion newsThe 8th Pay Commission held its final meetings in Mumbai, focusing on salary and pension reform for central government employees. Associations have proposed an annual increment rate of 5-7%, aimed at counteracting inflation and enhancing salaries. If implemented, these adjustments could lead to substantial pay raises over the coming decade, with definitive figures pending in the forthcoming report from the Pay Commission.

Bengaluru CA's salary rose from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 24 lakh in 5 years: Here's how she did it
Bengaluru-based Chartered Accountant Meenal Goel revealed how her annual salary rose from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 24 lakh in five years. After switching companies twice and receiving hikes within the same organisation, her biggest jump came in year five, when her pay increased by approximately 84%. She urged professionals to recognise their worth and seek better compensation.
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