India's Workplace Turmoil 2025: CEO Exodus, Mass Layoffs, Toxic Culture Exposed

• 2025 saw record CEO exits, with 141 CEOs/MDs of NSE-listed companies resigning in FY2024-25, and 16 CEOs from BSE 200 firms in H1 2025.
• Major controversies included IndusInd Bank's accounting scandal leading to CEO resignations and SEBI scrutiny, and TCS laying off 12,000 employees amid an AI-led restructuring.
• Startup ecosystem faced over 6,700 job losses, including Gupshup (500) and Ola Electric (1,000), due to funding issues and automation.
• Debates erupted over extreme work hours, fueled by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan's 90-hour workweek comments, drawing criticism for toxic expectations.
• "Silent firing" emerged as a trend, where companies subtly pushed employees to resign, avoiding severance and public scrutiny, particularly affecting mid-career professionals.

Why It Matters: 2025 was a pivotal year for India's workplaces, marked by leadership churn, mass layoffs, and a growing demand for better work-life balance and transparency.