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In the past five years, India Global Capability Centers (GCC) landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from cost-saving outposts to strategic innovation hubs. Today, these centers are not just participating in the global business landscape; they are actively reshaping it.
GCCs are fundamentally altering the technology landscape, emerging as key global hubs for strategic technology operations. Leading organizations are centralizing their tech ecosystems in India, with nearly one-third of their global Engineering activities now based in the country. This shift is particularly evident in sectors like Aerospace, Defense, and Semiconductors, where companies are advancing their Engineering efforts to focus on next-generation platforms, products, and technologies.
The growth in Engineering, Research & Development (ER&D) GCCs is particularly noteworthy. Over the last five years, the setup rate of ER&D GCCs has grown 1.3X faster than the overall GCC setup, highlighting a continued shift towards high-value-add work.
Companies like Hitachi Energy, Temenos, and Micron are at the forefront of this trend, establishing robust ER&D capabilities in India.
The dynamism of India’s GCC ecosystem is characterized by its ability to innovate and adapt. What stands out in this journey is the strategic pivot from operational excellence to value creation. With over 500 centers now dedicated to AI and Machine Learning, India’s commitment to embracing and advancing future-forward technologies is unequivocal.
This AI-driven transformation is reshaping the talent landscape within GCCs. New, cutting-edge roles are emerging across various sectors. In the Software & Internet domain, we’re seeing demand for Azure Experts and Robotics Control Engineers. The Semiconductor industry is seeking Quantum Architects and Advanced Materials Testing Engineers. These roles represent just a fraction of the diverse, high-skill positions now being filled by India’s expanding talent pool, as GCCs engineer solutions for a global market across a wide range of cutting-edge fields.
As GCCs mature, they are addressing the crucial “Value Gap,” exponentially boosting their value delivery. With nearly 50% of GCCs positioned within the Portfolio Hub in the past half-decade, it is a clear indicator of their strategic importance to HQ.
As we look ahead, the challenges are clear but surmountable. GCCs must navigate the complexities of sustaining growth, bridging the value gap, and continuing to innovate while scaling operations. They must also ensure that the value being created is equitably distributed, enhancing not only corporate profits but also contributing positively to India’s socio-economic fabric.
To fully grasp the magnitude of this transformation and its implications for the future, Zinnov and nasscom have collaborated on this comprehensive study, titled, “India GCC Landscape: The 5-year Journey.” This report offers an in-depth analysis of the Indian GCC ecosystem, charting its remarkable evolution, far-reaching impact, and growing global influence.
By examining the intricate interplay of technology, talent, and strategy, this report provides invaluable insights into how India’s GCCs are shaping the future of global business. Whether you’re a business leader, policymaker, or industry analyst, this report is an essential resource for understanding the dynamic forces driving India’s rise as a global innovation hub.
Download the report now and gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving landscape of global business operations.
The India GCC Landscape Report 2024 positions India as the “GCC Capital of the World,” with over 1,700 Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and more than 2,975 units as of FY2024. These centers have collectively generated $64.6 billion in revenue and employ over 1.9 million professionals. The report highlights the strategic evolution of GCCs from cost-saving units to value-creating hubs, with over 50% now driving portfolio and transformation initiatives. Looking ahead to 2030, India’s GCC ecosystem is projected to host 2,100–2,200 centers, with 4,300–4,400 units, a workforce of 2.5–2.8 million, and revenues reaching $99–105 billion — cementing its role as a global powerhouse for innovation, talent, and enterprise impact.
Tier II and III cities such as Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, and Coimbatore are gaining prominence due to several factors:
As a result, over 215+ GCC units are now housed in emerging locations, reflecting a strategic move to diversify operations and mitigate risks associated with concentration in major metropolitan areas.
India-based GCCs have evolved into strategic partners for their parent organizations, contributing significantly to global decision-making processes. This transformation is evident as more than 6,500 global roles as of 2024 have been established within Indian GCCs, including over 1,100 women leaders holding global positions. These centers are now integral in driving enterprise-wide AI adoption, digital transformation initiatives, and data-driven strategies, positioning themselves as pivotal players in shaping global business outcomes.
While the Technology and Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sectors have traditionally dominated, the Healthcare and Life Sciences sector has exhibited remarkable growth. This surge is driven by increased investments in AI-led diagnostics, patient experience platforms, and regulatory technologies. Additionally, retail and automotive are gaining momentum and the Semiconductor industry is experiencing significant expansion, with over 55 semiconductor GCCs employing a specialized workforce of more than 50,000 professionals. This growth reflects India’s strengthening position in high-value, technology-intensive sectors.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become central to the evolution of GCCs in India. Over 185 GCCs have established dedicated AI/Machine Learning Centers of Excellence (CoEs) with more than 500 GCCs in India having AI/ML capabilities, fostering a talent pool exceeding 120,000 AI professionals. These centers are developing diverse AI applications, including customer experience enhancement, risk assessment, demand forecasting, and coding assistance. The emphasis on AI signifies a strategic shift from traditional service delivery to innovation-driven value creation within GCCs.
Government policy plays a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India. Both central and state governments have introduced targeted policies to attract and nurture these centers.
At the central level, the Government of India has recognized the strategic importance of GCCs and is working on a national policy to make India the global hub for GCCs by streamlining regulatory frameworks, easing business processes, and enhancing infrastructure.
State governments have been especially proactive. For instance:
These policies not only reduce operational costs for companies but also support talent development, ease hiring challenges, and create a business-friendly ecosystem — making India a preferred destination for global organizations setting up or scaling their GCCs.
The growth trajectory of GCCs in India remains strong and shows no signs of slowing down or reaching saturation. Projections indicate that the GCC market size will reach between $99 billion and $105 billion by 2030, with the number of centers increasing to 2,100–2,200 and headcount rising to 2.5–2.8 million.
While traditional sectors like software, internet, and BFSI continue to dominate, emerging industries such as retail, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals are poised to drive the next wave of growth. Notably, fast-growing mid-sized global companies are expected to spearhead this expansion, alongside Fortune 2000 companies that are yet to establish their presence in India through a GCC.
Together, these forces are creating a sustained and diversified growth engine for India’s GCC ecosystem.
In the last five years alone, over 400 new GCCs have been established in India, highlighting the country’s continued dominance in global capability expansion. These new entrants span across diverse sectors, underscoring India’s cross-industry appeal:
This wave of new GCCs reflects a broadening sectoral footprint, with tech-native companies and traditional enterprises alike leveraging India’s talent ecosystem to drive innovation, engineering, and digital transformation at scale.
Zinnov brings over two decades of deep expertise in the GCC ecosystem, helping global enterprises make strategic decisions on setup, scale, and transformation. The Zinnov–NASSCOM India GCC 2024 report reflects this trust — with data-driven insights, policy understanding, and a pulse on emerging sectors. From location strategy to talent readiness and innovation scaling, Zinnov is the go-to partner for companies looking to grow in India with confidence.
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