Quiet quitting - meaning employees stick to their core job duties without going beyond - is gaining momentum in India’s corporate sector. A Slack study reveals that 16% of Indian knowledge workers admit to quiet quitting, primarily due to burnout, poor leadership communication, and feeling undervalued. The problem is especially acute in the government and defence sectors, where quiet quitting rates reach around 12%, compared with just 4–6% in IT and banking.

For many, this is a reaction to overwhelming workloads, lack of recognition, limited advancement, and a toxic work environment. One staffing report found nearly 48% of Gen Z workers blame such culture and pressure for quiet quitting, while office politics was cited by 23% .

This trend also reflects a broader shift in priorities: younger professionals now prioritize work–life balance, mental health, and meaningful engagement over hustle culture. As quiet quitting becomes a boundary-setting behavior - not laziness - it signals a growing demand for humane, purpose-driven work environments in India’s evolving corporate landscape.