The 2026 State of the Global Workplace report by Gallup highlights a troubling trend in India, where workplace disengagement is on the rise, primarily driven by the phenomenon of 'quiet quitting.' This term refers to employees who mentally check out while remaining in their roles, contributing to a decline in overall engagement. In South Asia, employee engagement has decreased for the second year in a row, with India experiencing the steepest drop. The report shows that the share of engaged employees rose from 9.03% to 22.51% over the past 15 years but peaked at 33.17% during 2020-2022 before falling again. Additionally, manager engagement has also declined sharply, from 39% in 2022-2024 to 30% in 2023-2025. The report indicates that low engagement levels not only affect internal team dynamics but also lead to less profitable organizations, ultimately impacting economic growth. Furthermore, emotional well-being among Indian workers is deteriorating, with 36% reporting daily sadness, significantly higher than the global average of 23%. These findings underscore the urgent need for better management practices and employee support in Indian workplaces.