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India has solidified its position as the undisputed hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), now hosting nearly half of all such centres worldwide. The sector’s explosive growth, with three new GCCs established every two weeks since the pandemic, signals a profound shift. Once viewed as cost-saving operational outposts, Indian GCCs have transformed into strategic nerve centres, co-piloting enterprise growth and innovation directly from within the country.

A recent report from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) highlights several key trends driving this evolution. Foremost among them is the emergence of GCCs as true microcosms of their parent companies. No longer just handling back-office tasks, these centres are now germinating new capabilities, owning core business functions, and enabling cross-functional synergies that accelerate outcomes across global time zones.

Fueling this transformation is the meteoric rise of Engineering and R&D (ER&D). As the fastest-growing segment in the Indian tech industry, ER&D is now a core component in nearly 90% of the nation’s GCCs. These centres are at the forefront of building cutting-edge products and driving innovation, positioning India as a worldwide leader in technology development. 

This is powered by a strategic embrace of artificial intelligence and digitisation. Over half of India’s GCCs are driving enterprise-wide transformation through advanced tech, with an estimated 200 centres now hosting dedicated AI Centres of Excellence that architect predictive, agile business ecosystems.

This strategic pivot extends to corporate responsibility, with sustainability emerging as a core enterprise mandate managed from India. GCCs are becoming global custodians of sustainable innovation, developing ESG-aligned digital solutions and embedding green practices into their operational DNA.

Underpinning all these changes is a maturing talent landscape. The workforce model is rapidly shifting from task-oriented roles to integrated, product-centric structures. This has led to significant growth in high-impact product and architect-level positions, with an estimated 6,500 global leadership roles now based in Indian GCCs, democratising strategic influence and cementing their role as indispensable partners in global enterprise.

As these trends converge, it’s clear the narrative of India’s GCCs has irrevocably shifted. The focus is no longer on operational efficiency alone but on pioneering global strategy, innovation, and sustainable growth.