INDIA SALARY
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.
My cook earns Rs 1 lakh a month and is going to Thailand: Mumbai man says he has better financial planning than MBA, IIT graduates
A Mumbai man's LinkedIn post about his cook earning Rs 1.05 lakh monthly through multiple jobs has sparked a debate on financial planning. He compared the cook's savings, income sources and spending habits with those of MBA and IIT graduates. The 34-year-old cook is now planning his first international trip to Thailand.
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.
TS Inter 1st and 2nd year exam system to end: Telangana CM announces new 10+2 education model from next academic year
Telangana will introduce the 10+2 education system from the next academic year, merging Classes 11 and 12 with the school education structure and replacing the separate Intermediate system. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has outlined a three-stage schooling model from nursery to Class 12, with the reforms aimed at improving education quality and reducing student dropouts after Class 10. The government is also reviewing residential school projects and infrastructure upgrades.
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.
Indians buy 30% more gold after recent price correction
Indians showed a significant increase in gold and silver purchases during Dhanteras-Diwali this year. Gold buying rose by 30% while silver demand increased by 10% compared to last year. Consumers bought 52 tonnes of gold valued at ₹72,000 crore and 300 tonnes of silver worth ₹5,400 crore. The rise in purchases was fueled by lower prices and upcoming wedding season. Jewellers expressed optimism about continued consumer interest in precious metals.
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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.

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.

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).

Behind Bangladesh's garment boom, workers cut food, healthcare as wages fall short
Garment workers in Bangladesh are facing financial struggles due to rising costs of living. Many workers, such as Shilpi Khatun, have seen wages stagnate while expenses continue to rise. Protests erupted recently, demanding an increase in the minimum monthly wage to 30,000 taka. The government plans to revise wages but has not announced the increase yet. The ongoing economic pressures are affecting workers' daily lives and choices.

Suvendu Sarkar rolls out Diwali bonanza for Bengal babus, hikes IAS allowances by 50%
The Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government has announced a range of benefits for its IAS officers, including a 50% hike in monthly sumptuary allowances for senior officials, education loans of up to Rs 50 lakh for children's studies in India and abroad, and expanded foreign travel benefits under LTC. The package also includes housing, electricity and post-retirement benefits, along with allowances for official work-related expenses.

Economic advancement can’t be judged through a single income figure, other conditions apply
India’s creamy layer debate has renewed focus on whether income alone can measure socioeconomic advancement. The Supreme Court’s March 11 judgment, upheld last Friday, said parental salary cannot be the sole criterion for determining creamy layer status among OBCs; occupational and service status must also be considered.

India's unemployment rate falls to 5.1% in July-September as rural joblessness declines
India's unemployment rate saw a decline to 5.1% from 5.4% in the prior quarter. The decrease in unemployment primarily occurred in rural areas, where it fell to 4.3%. The survey indicated that more individuals were either working or seeking jobs during this period. Women's employment participation also improved, rising to 34.7% from 33.2%. The overall employment figure reached approximately 57.9 crore individuals in India.

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.

China is the world's factory but still can't give jobs to youth: Sridhar Vembu says India has a problem that is about to get worse
China's position as the world's manufacturing powerhouse has not prevented a growing employment challenge among its educated youth. Despite its massive industrial base, advanced technology capabilities and a merchandise trade surplus of nearly $1.2 trillion, around 70% of unemployed people in the 20-24 age group reportedly hold university degrees. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has highlighted this contradiction, warning that India could face a similar problem.

Taxpayers fret over loose ends in amnesty scheme, seek CBDT clarity on foreign asset disclosure rules as deadline nears
Many taxpayers are unsure if they need to report various accounts due to ambiguous regulations. Clarification is being sought from the Central Board of Direct Taxes regarding ownership versus authority, among other things.
68.4% respondents in survey plan job change in 2027; half seek 31%-plus pay hike: Survey
According to a recent survey, 68.4 percent of Indian professionals are planning to explore new job opportunities in 2027. Career growth is identified as the primary motivation for changing jobs, with high salary expectations influencing decisions as well. The report highlights that most professionals feel confident about their job prospects in the evolving job market. Many are actively engaged in upskilling, especially in AI.

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.

Ramayana actor Ravie Dubey once struggled to afford food. How he went from earning Rs 10,000 per month to building a Rs 80 crore fortune
Ramayana actor Ravie Dubey's journey took a tumultuous turn when he relocated to Mumbai to pursue engineering after 2001. Battling academic setbacks and the weight of societal expectations led him into a dark phase of mental health struggles. However, a serendipitous audition while studying shifted his trajectory, leading to his first paycheck in 2005. His breakout role came with the series Saas Bina Sasural in 2010, followed by Jamai Raja in 2014.

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.

Beyond Equity: Jiraaf’s Saurav Ghosh on how to customise your portfolio, and the importance of bonds
An investment portfolio should be customised to one’s own needs, because there tends to be no one-size-fits-all portfolio. The idea is to ensure financial goals are realised across timelines and not just a decade or twenty years later. Jiraaf founder, Saurav Ghosh, talked about the customisation, profit margins, risk management and more when it comes to allocating a part of one’s portfolio to bonds. Read on!

Middle class spending boom in India comes with growing debt bill
Consumer borrowing in India has surged significantly as access to credit has expanded across the population. Individuals like Navjot Singh illustrate the financial burdens incurred from loans that have become widespread among the populace. As interest rates increase, many consumers face a heightened risk of default on their debts. Reports show that borrowing against gold and informal loans has also intensified in recent years.

'One layoff can expose years of poor financial planning': Man earning ₹40 lakh LPA gets laid off, reveals ₹2 crore home loan, ₹30 lakh personal loan and pending car EMIs
After losing a job with a salary of ₹40 lakh per annum, a man faces severe financial stress. He has ongoing loans, including a ₹2 crore home loan and a ₹30 lakh personal loan. With a baby on the way and just two months of savings left, he struggles to meet the demands. Although he received job offers at half his previous salary, he is uncertain about accepting them.

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.

Indians turn to side hustles, freelancing as non-salary income rises: ClearTax
Indians are increasingly earning from non-salary sources like trading and freelancing as reported by ClearTax. The percentage of self-filers reporting such income grew significantly from previous years. Data shows that young individuals are entering investment opportunities earlier than ever before. Additionally, women's participation in capital gains and higher income brackets has increased noticeably. This reflects a significant change in financial habits and diversification of income sources among taxpayers.

US Midterm Elections 2026: Could the SMARTER Act change how Indians get US Green Cards?
With the upcoming midterm elections, a new immigration proposal in Congress could reshape the future of green cards and family sponsorship, especially for Indian professionals. The SMARTER Act aims to introduce a points-based system, eliminate country-based visa limits, and restrict family immigration to closer relatives, but its success hinges on the election outcomes.

UK Budget 2026: Skilled Worker salary thresholds, Graduate visa and HPI route changes signal new immigration direction
In its 2026 Budget, the UK Government has unveiled pivotal changes to immigration policies with a focus on driving economic growth and increasing productivity. Key updates include an adjustment to salary thresholds for the Skilled Worker visa and an expansion of the High Potential Individual visa pathway. Additionally, the two-year Graduate visa for international students will continue, emphasizing the importance of skilled migration in the country’s economic strategy.
Gurgaon man pays Rs 20,000 rent, takes bike trips to mountains, says Rs 30 lakhs a year is enough; blames people for spending too much
A LinkedIn post questioning whether Rs 30–50 lakh a year is enough to live in Gurgaon has sparked a debate. The author recalled paying Rs 20,000 in rent and spending Rs 20,000 on food while cooking himself. He blamed lifestyle inflation, expensive purchases and social pressure for rising financial expectations.

Akasa Air hikes pilots' salaries by up to 15% to retain them
The revised pay structure will take effect January 1, 2027, with fixed monthly salaries increasing across all eight pilot grades, from first officers to designated examiners.
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