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India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are evolving rapidly. Once focused on cost savings and support, they are now driving innovation across AI, product development, and global strategy. According to reports, this shift is changing what GCCs do and the talent they need.

This change has brought a big challenge: hiring new talent. The GCC Talentscope India 2026 Report says 58% of GCCs now take more than 45 days to fill key roles. As innovation cycles shorten, these delays create both operational problems and strategic risks.

The Evolving Recruitment Landscape

Recruitment in GCCs has changed a lot. Instead of hiring large numbers, companies now focus on finding people with deep and niche expertise. ANSR highlights that many organisations are using a ‘build, borrow and bot’ approach. This means they develop skills internally, use external talent and automate to fill talent gaps.

But the challenge is bigger than just changing how companies hire. Ceipal’s analysis of India’s GCC talent shows that success now depends on having a strong talent ecosystem, not just a large workforce. With more than 1,700 GCCs and nearly two million professionals in India, competition for specialised skills is much tougher.

Roles in Demand

The current job market shows how much GCCs focus on innovation. Roles in generative AI, machine learning and data science are among the most sought after, as companies look for people who can build and manage smart systems. Jobs in cloud engineering, cybersecurity and platform architecture are also in high demand as businesses update their digital systems.

However, there is another important point. While technical skills are needed, there aren’t enough people who can connect technology with business strategy. Product managers, program leaders and cross-functional experts are still not a top priority in hiring, which could create a gap between what technology can do and its impact on the business.

For job seekers, joining the GCC sector now takes more than just basic qualifications. Technical skills in areas like AI, data science and cloud computing are important, but not enough. Employers want to see real-world experience, such as work on live projects, open-source contributions, or industry partnerships.

It’s just as important to work well across different teams. Since GCCs operate in global settings, professionals need to show they can collaborate, manage stakeholders and solve problems in complex situations. In today’s fast-changing tech world, ongoing learning is now expected.

What’s Ahead

The future of GCCs in India will depend more on how well they manage talent than on their size. As companies focus on innovation, being able to attract, grow and keep specialised talent will be a key advantage.

For GCCs, this means treating recruitment as a strategic, flexible and forward-looking part of the business. For professionals, it’s a chance to do important work on a global scale, provided they are ready to meet new challenges.