Listen

Pause Resume

Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in the country today are driven by deep tech, high-skill talent, and strategic ambition. Over the past five years, India’s GCC workforce has grown at an annual rate of 11%, a momentum the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, called “conservative” in light of current projections: 2.8 million jobs by 2030. Fuelling this surge is a sharp pivot toward emerging technologies. According to a report by Naukri, more than 90% of Indian GCCs plan to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in the next few years, with investments expected to cross US$60 billion.

But it’s not just about scale, it’s about value. This shift is projected to generate US$150-275 billion in operating profits, positioning India not just as a global talent hub but as a key driver of tech-led innovation and strategic value creator on the global stage.

At a recent CII event in July, the finance minister pointed out that more than 32% of the world’s GCC talent is now based in India, contributing about US$68 billion to the economy—roughly 1.6% of the country’s GDP. This impact is expected to grow significantly over the next few years.  

One sign of this shift is the faster growth of specialised roles. The Finance Minister pointed out that engineering research and development (ER&D) GCCs have been set up 1.3 times faster than other GCCs in the past five years, showing a move toward more complex, high-value work. In fact, an average of one new GCC was launched every week in 2024. 

At the core of this GCC acceleration is its human capital. India contributes a remarkable 28% of the global STEM workforce, producing millions of skilled graduates each year. What makes this talent pool truly distinctive is its diversity—India boasts the highest proportion of female STEM graduates among major economies, with 42.7% female enrollment in engineering. 

Part of India’s advantage comes down to cost-effectiveness. Companies setting up GCCs in India consistently achieve 30-50% lower talent costs compared to those in the US, UK, or Australia, without sacrificing expertise or quality. Real estate and operational expenses add even more savings, allowing global firms to invest in innovation rather than overhead.

This multidimensional talent bench is fueling not just routine operations but also the emergence of future-ready leaders. As GCCs mature and scale, demand for high-impact leadership has multiplied. An All Things Talent report notes that multinational corporations are offering lucrative packages to attract top-tier talent, with some senior roles commanding as much as ₹3-6 crore annually. 

The sector’s pull isn’t restricted to established professionals. With salaries for freshers now up to 30% higher than traditional IT firms, GCCs have emerged as a preferred destination for new graduates, adding competitive pay with a culture of continuous upskilling and visible career progression.

The rise is bolstered by forward-thinking government policies. The Karnataka GCC Policy 2024-2029, for instance, outlines targets: attracting 500 new capability centres and generating 350,000 jobs by 2029. Its strategy focuses on building out the talent ecosystem by incentivising local skill development, funding 100,000 student internships, and fostering  joint research projects between academia and industry. This ensures India isn’t just supplying skilled workers—it is cultivating the next generation of global leaders and innovators.