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India’s reskilling market is experiencing accelerated growth, driven by the rapid expansion of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) across the country. As GCCs increasingly demand advanced digital and technical skills, international players are focusing on Indian professional markets to keep their teams skilled to global standards.

GCCs, fully owned and integrated hubs established by multinational corporations, leverage global talent pools and technological advancements to enhance organisational capabilities and drive business transformation. According to Amit Goyal, Managing Director, South Asia, Project Management Institute (PMI), organisations are prioritising internal competencies through well-structured “study-at-work” and upskilling initiatives.

Smitha Hemmigae, Managing Director, ANSR, highlighted that every GCC today recognises that upskilling, L&D, and well-defined career pathing are no longer “good to have” but a true differentiator for attracting and retaining top talent.

“Unlike traditional delivery roles, GCC careers are increasingly positioned as leadership tracks, where employees can see a clear pathway to senior, global, and cross-functional positions,” said the MD of ANSR which specialises in helping businesses build and manage Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

Gaurav Makhijani, Head of Tax (North India and Gujarat) at Roedl and Partner India, who closely works with foreign companies, also supported the trend, adding that many GCCs are partnering with universities and skilling platforms to ensure their India teams are ready for the future.

“In my experience, the view of India as only a low-cost destination is changing quickly, especially for GCCs. While cost advantage still matters, most established companies now see India as a strategic talent hub. From the start, they are including plans for long-term upskilling, leadership development, and innovation in their India strategy. The aim is to build strong expertise, R&D capabilities, and end-to-end operational support,” Makhijani added.

Key Trends:

– GCCs driving reskilling demand: GCCs are playing a pivotal role in transforming India’s workforce landscape by investing in employee development and sponsoring learning programmes.

– Globally accredited certifications: Most GCCs prefer globally accredited certifications to establish benchmarks and compare internal capabilities with global best practices.

– Upskilling and career development: GCCs recognise upskilling, learning, and development (L&D), and well-defined career pathing as key differentiators for attracting and retaining top talent.

GCCs in India: By the Numbers

– 2% of India’s GDP: GCCs are expected to contribute 2% of India’s GDP by 2030.

– 2.8 million jobs: GCCs are projected to generate 2.8 million jobs by 2030.

– 1700+ GCCs: India hosts over 1700 GCCs, with the number expected to rise to over 2200 by 2030.

– US$64.6 billion: GCCs generated approximately US$64.6 billion in export revenue in Financial Year 2024, a 40% increase from US$46 billion in FY23.

Top Cities for GCCs in India

– Bengaluru: Leads the pack with 487 centers (29% of India’s total).

– Hyderabad: Hosts 273 GCCs (16% of India’s total).

– NCR region: Has 272 centers.

– Mumbai, Pune and Chennai: Also contributing significantly to GCC growth.