India has emerged as the world’s undisputed hub for Global Capability Centers (GCCs), hosting over 1,950 operational centers that employ approximately 1.9 million professionals and generate $72 billion in annual revenue. As the GCC market is projected to reach $110 billion by 2030, certain Indian cities have distinguished themselves as powerhouses driving this remarkable transformation. These urban centers have evolved from traditional back-office destinations into strategic innovation hubs that shape global business operations.
Bengaluru: The Silicon Valley of India
Bengaluru continues to reign supreme as India’s GCC capital, housing over 875 GCCs and capturing 47% of total GCC leasing demand in 2024. Often dubbed the “Silicon Valley of India,” the city serves as the origin point of GCCs in India, with Texas Instruments establishing the first global capability center there in the early 1990s.
The city’s dominance stems from its rich talent pool of over 2 million IT professionals and proximity to premier institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Bengaluru’s robust technological ecosystem, featuring numerous tech parks and innovation hubs, creates an environment conducive to technological advancement and collaboration.
Major global companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Pure Storage have established significant operations in the city, with many centers evolving beyond support functions to drive core product development and innovation.
The city also demonstrates its success by attracting diverse sectors. While technology remains dominant at 44% of GCC activity, the city has seen growing presence from banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) companies, as well as healthcare and biotech firms.
Bengaluru’s strategic advantages include cost efficiency, world-class infrastructure, and strong government support through initiatives like the Karnataka government’s incentives for GCC establishments.
Hyderabad: The Cyberabad Phenomenon
Hyderabad has emerged as a formidable challenger to Bengaluru’s dominance, particularly through its HITEC City hub, which has become so saturated that Grade A office space is fully leased until late 2026.
The city, once celebrated as the ‘City of Pearls,’ now hosts nearly 355 GCCs and has captured the second-largest share of GCC leasing demand at 11.9 million square feet in the 2022-24 period.
The city’s appeal lies in its strategic infrastructure development, including HITEC City, Financial District, and Genome Valley, which serve as catalysts for GCC growth.
Major Fortune 500 companies like Amazon, Sandoz, Bayer, Roche, BlackBerry, and Align Technology have established significant presence in Hyderabad.
Recent developments include Dutch brewing giant Heineken’s ₹3,000 crore investment to establish its global capability center in the city.
Hyderabad’s advantages include robust connectivity, a large graduate pool, and its ideal positioning for captive centers focused on IT, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
The unprecedented demand has driven rentals in HITEC City to breach the ₹100 per square foot mark, reflecting the premium value placed on the city’s offerings.
Mumbai: The Financial Services Hub
Mumbai, India’s financial capital, hosts over 365 captive centers and serves as the perfect destination for GCCs focused on banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI).
The city’s established position as home to major banks and financial institutions makes it a natural choice for global corporations seeking to establish financial services operations.
Companies like General Mills have established their Global India Centers in Mumbai, delivering business value across supply chain, digital technology, innovation, consumer intelligence, and financial services.
Mumbai’s strategic advantages include its status as India’s commercial capital, access to a skilled financial services workforce, and excellent connectivity to global markets.
The city’s role in the GCC ecosystem extends beyond financial services, with companies leveraging Mumbai’s diverse business environment and proximity to decision-makers for strategic operations.
Mumbai’s mature infrastructure and established business ecosystem provide a solid foundation for GCC operations requiring close integration with India’s financial and commercial networks.
Delhi NCR: The Emerging Powerhouse
Delhi NCR has rapidly emerged as a significant GCC destination, hosting over 465 GCCs and accounting for 15-18% of India’s total GCC operations.
The region encompasses key business hubs in Gurgaon (Cyber City), Noida Expressway, and Aerocity, which have become magnets for multinational GCCs across various industries.
The region hosts GCCs of global leaders including Airbnb, Uber, American Express, Adobe, Saudi Aramco, NXP Semiconductor, Palo Alto Networks, National Australia Bank, NatWest Group, Thales, Siemens, United Airlines, and AT&T.
With over 250 GCCs employing more than 300,000 professionals and generating $8-10 billion in annual value creation, Delhi NCR has established itself as a formidable alternative to traditional GCC hubs.
The region’s appeal stems from its diverse talent pool, world-class infrastructure including IGI Airport, comprehensive metro network, and cost efficiency compared to other major cities.
The presence of prestigious educational institutions and approximately 35 startup unicorns further enhances its attractiveness for GCC establishments.
Chennai: The Fastest-Growing Hub
Chennai has emerged as India’s fastest-growing GCC hub, with office leasing activity reaching a record 26 million square feet in Q1 2025, representing a 35% year-over-year surge.
The city currently houses over 250 GCC units, projected to rise to 450-460 by 2030, and accounts for 11% of India’s current GCC talent.
The city’s remarkable growth trajectory is evidenced by its increase in GCC office absorption from 1.4 million square feet in 2022 to 2.3 million square feet in the first nine months of 2024.
Chennai ranks third in GCC leasing activity in India after Bengaluru and Hyderabad for the 2022-2024 period, with key micro-markets including Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) Zone 1, Mount Poonamallee High Road, and PT Road contributing to 92% of the city’s overall GCC leasing activity.
US firms account for 67% of GCC setups in Chennai during 2022-2024, reflecting strong confidence in the city’s capabilities.
The GCC talent pool in Chennai is projected to grow by 1.4 times, reaching 320,000-370,000 by 2030, supported by the state government’s initiatives in workforce training and industry-academia collaboration.
Pune: The Western India Gateway
Pune has established itself as a strategic hub for GCCs, offering an unparalleled ecosystem for multinational corporations seeking presence in Western India.
The city hosts over 360 GCCs and serves as a growing hub for captive centers focused on information technology, BFSI, and automotive sectors.
Notable GCCs flourishing in Pune include Siemens DISW, Barclays, BMC Software, T-Systems, IBM, Accenture, Capgemini, and Infosys.
The city’s strategic advantages include its proximity to Mumbai, cost-effective operations with approximately 30% cost savings compared to developed countries, and dedicated IT parks like Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park (Hinjewadi), Baner, EON Free Zone, and Magarpatta City.
Pune’s educational institutions, including prestigious engineering and management colleges, contribute significantly to the IT talent pool, graduating thousands of skilled professionals annually.
Recent developments include SA Technologies launching a state-of-the-art Global Capability Center in Pune for healthcare industry clients, highlighting the city’s expanding sector diversity.
The Tier-2 City Revolution
India’s GCC expansion is increasingly extending beyond metropolitan areas into Tier-2 cities, with 7% of all GCCs now located in these emerging urban centers, up from 5% in FY19.
Cities such as Coimbatore, Indore, Surat, Kochi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad, and Bhubaneswar are emerging as key tech talent hubs.
The expansion into Tier-2 cities is driven by compelling advantages including 40-60% lower operational costs, access to untapped skilled talent pools, lower attrition rates, and proactive government initiatives. These cities are expected to contribute 30-40% of new GCC jobs over the next three to four years.
Market Dynamics and Future Outlook
The Indian GCC ecosystem continues its robust growth trajectory, with projections indicating the market will reach $110 billion by 2030, supported by approximately 2,400 GCCs employing over 2.8 million professionals.
Currently, there are about 2,975 GCCs in India employing nearly 1.9 million professionals, with the sector generating value at a CAGR of 11-12% between FY25 and FY29.
The sector has evolved from traditional cost-saving operations into strategic innovation centers that drive R&D, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital transformation initiatives.
Women currently comprise 40% of the GCC workforce, with expectations of 3-5% improvement in gender diversity as companies prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion.
India further strengthens its position as the global GCC capital, hosting nearly 45% of the world’s GCCs, 70% of which belong to US-headquartered companies.
The government’s 100% FDI policy for GCCs in IT, BFSI, and healthcare sectors, combined with proactive state-level initiatives, continues to create a conducive investment climate.
The GCC boom represents a fundamental transformation in global business strategy, with Indian cities serving as the epicenters of this revolution.
As these urban powerhouses continue to evolve and expand their capabilities, they are not just supporting global operations but actively shaping the future of international business and innovation.
Conclusion
India’s ascent as the global epicenter for GCCs is a testament to the dynamism and resilience of its leading cities. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Chennai, and Pune have each carved out unique niches, transforming from traditional outsourcing hubs into strategic partners driving global innovation, digital transformation, and business excellence.
Their world-class talent pools, robust infrastructure, and supportive government policies have not only attracted top multinational corporations but have also inspired the next wave of growth in emerging Tier-2 cities.
As the GCC sector evolves, these cities will increasingly shape the future of global business. By fostering collaboration, nurturing skilled talent, and embracing cutting-edge technologies, India’s top urban centers are powering a new era of growth—one where Indian ingenuity and leadership are at the heart of the world’s most ambitious business strategies. The GCC boom is more than a trend; it’s a transformative movement, with Indian cities lighting the way for the global enterprise of tomorrow.
