Mid-Sized Global Capability Centres Outpace Larger Peers in Hiring Growth
Mid-sized GCCs are set to grow, with over 120 new centres expected by end-2026, creating about 40,000 jobs across India, according to reports.
Mid-sized Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India are experiencing faster hiring growth, with a 10-12% increase in the first half of the year, outpacing the 4-6% growth of larger GCCs.
The headcount at mid-size GCCs, which typically employ between 500-2,000 people, grew 46% over the last five years, reaching over 220,000 in 2024 from 150,000 in 2019. In comparison, the workforce at larger GCCs expanded 34% during the same period, from 1.25 million to 1.68 million, according to a recent article by The Economic Times, citing data from staffing-services firm Quess Corp.
Mid-size GCCs are aggressively expanding in India, with over 45 new centres setting up operations in the past two years alone, accounting for nearly 35% of India’s total GCCs and 30% of the GCC additions during the past two years. These centres are rapidly evolving into significant contributors to their parent organisations’ market strategies and are becoming influential players in their respective industries.
According to sector experts, mid-size GCCs operate under greater cost constraints than their larger peers but are characterised by high maturity as transformation hubs and deep product capabilities with a significant share of global product management talent. They have a high concentration of niche deeptech skills and a central role in global engineering, research & development (ER&D).
The growth of mid-size GCCs is expected to continue, with over 120 new mid-market GCCs anticipated to be established in India by the end of 2026, adding about 40,000 jobs. The mid-market segment has the potential to attract at least 23-27% of the 130,000-150,000 global mid-market companies leading to AI-led transformation, according to a Nasscom-Zinnov report.
Key Statistics
– Hiring Growth: 10-12% increase in mid-size GCCs vs 4-6% growth in larger GCCs in the first half of the year
– Workforce Expansion: 46% growth in mid-size GCCs’ headcount from 2019 to 2024, reaching over 220,000 employees
– New GCCs: Over 120 new mid-market GCCs expected to be established in India by the end of 2026, adding about 40,000 jobs
– Market Share: Mid-size GCCs account for nearly 35% of India’s total GCCs and 30% of the GCC additions during the past two years
