The Policy, the Push, the Potential Ft. Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Government of Karnataka

Nitika: Welcome to this episode of GCCs Unfiltered. Whether you’re leading a Global Capability Center, building one, or simply curious about their impact, this is where we cut through the noise and uncover the real choices and leadership stories shaping the future. Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, S&T and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka.

Over the years, she’s worn many hats—from reforming public transport in Bangalore to now shaping policies that will define Karnataka’s technology and innovation landscape. Her journey has been about driving transformation, whether it’s about making governance more efficient, strengthening Karnataka’s position as the GCC capital of the world, or championing initiatives in biotech and skill development.

She brings a rare ability to combine vision with execution and create impact that extends well beyond her tenure. A recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, her leadership reflects a deep commitment to building ecosystems where innovation, talent, and governance come together.

Dr. Caur, welcome to this episode of GCCs Unfiltered. It’s an honor to have you.

Dr. Ekroop: Thanks, thanks Nitika for having me.

Nitika: Great. So, I just mentioned that Karnataka is the GCC capital of the world. Some of it happened because we have a thriving startup ecosystem and a base for technologists, but in the recent past, we’ve seen deeper intervention and partnership from the government. Do you see it as an accident of just an ecosystem coming together, or do you also see a key role with policy today?

Dr. Ekroop: Karnataka has always been very open and industry-driven, especially when it comes to IT and biotechnology. Almost 20 years back, vision groups were created—one for IT and one for biotechnology. Each of these had 15 to 20 very eminent people from the private sector and industry who helped shape policies. That has been one of the biggest assets—that government was open to advice and based on that advice, shaped policies. So the policies have been well received, and we’ve been able to create this kind of ecosystem in Karnataka.

Nitika: Karnataka has about 1,780 GCCs in India, and the state holds pole position with most of them here. Do you think that continued success is going to come from talent, or do you think policy architecture will play a large role?

Dr. Ekroop: Talent will play the major role—70 to 80 percent. Policies support by creating a conducive work environment and ecosystem. Karnataka has been a pioneer in education for almost 50 years, with both government and private institutions, especially in STEM. Technology now changes so fast that we are focused on developing specific skillsets. Through our program called UNNATI, we allow industry to set curriculum, deliver content, and select candidates, while government covers part of the skilling cost. These are usually short-duration programs that give people the add-on needed to prepare for emerging technologies.

Nitika: One thing I keep hearing from the ecosystem is that government has become much more open to partnering. In addition to technology as a horizontal, government has also been working across verticals. Now, as we move into the age of AI, we need specialists—deep researchers, think tanks, foundational technologists. Is anything being done to hone those skills?

Dr. Ekroop: Yes. Government is supporting a lot of R&D activity in the state and bridging academia with industry. IISc alone runs over 50 programs with industry. We’re in active discussions with the National Research Foundation (NRF) to build research capacity and generate more IPs from India. With premier institutions led by IISc and others, collaborations are increasing, and this will help create deep research-based talent.

Nitika: Countries like Poland, Mexico, and the Philippines are trying to replicate India’s GCC playbook. What must India do to stay ahead?

Dr. Ekroop: Our biggest asset is our people and our talent. We’ve built a strong foundation from school to STEM education. India also has a very young population, which we must leverage. The scale and access to talent that India provides is unmatched globally, and that is holding us in good stead.

Nitika: To put together the GCC playbook, you spoke to at least 300 industry leaders. What did you see from a mindset perspective?

Dr. Ekroop: I really like the change in attitude. Companies now look at GCCs as value creators, not cost arbitrage centers. One global CTO told me their new Bangalore center would do cutting-edge work, not just expand in numbers. That confidence is why Bangalore is seen as a hub that delivers globally impactful solutions.

Nitika: But are some India-based leaders still focused on numbers rather than value?

Dr. Ekroop: No, leaders based in Bangalore have shown great confidence in their teams and have changed the landscape.

Nitika: Globally, GCCs are still perceived as execution engines or captives. How has communication shifted that perception?

Dr. Ekroop: Things are changing. More IPs and end-to-end products from India are shifting mindsets. Product management, once thought impossible from India, is now happening here. Work will speak for itself.

Nitika: What has been the biggest gap between industry and government, and how far has the bridge been built?

Dr. Ekroop: The gap was mostly perception, people didn’t know how to interact with government and assumed it wasn’t receptive. But Karnataka has always collaborated with industry. Today, we are very open, and communication is seamless—even through something as simple as WhatsApp. We have policies, handbooks, catalysts, and an active ministerial team working with stakeholders.

Nitika: Karnataka is among the top AI destinations. How is government itself using AI?

Dr. Ekroop: Government is a big AI consumer. We’ve deployed AI-based teaching tools with Microsoft, AI-driven traffic monitoring in Bangalore, and AI chatbots in rural development. Many departments are using AI innovatively. Beyond that, Karnataka has over 1,000 AI startups, some even building foundational models under the National AI Mission. One startup has built India’s first indigenous 8-qubit quantum computer and is now working on a 56-qubit machine.

Nitika: India produces millions of STEM graduates, yet a skill gap persists. Why?

Dr. Ekroop: Technology changes faster than curricula. Graduates have strong foundations, but they need exposure to the latest industry practices and domain knowledge. We’re bridging the gap through internships, BFSI minors, and programs like Kalayojane and UNNATI. These efforts ensure graduates become industry-ready.

Nitika: Should GCCs play a role in building India’s broader workforce beyond their employees?

Dr. Ekroop: Absolutely. GCCs should collaborate with academia and startups. Some already run centers of excellence with universities. They can nurture startups, co-create, incubate, and even acquire. Strong research is happening, but translational research needs a push, and GCCs can help.

Nitika: If another state or country came to you asking how to replicate Karnataka’s success, what would you say are the non-negotiables?

Dr. Ekroop: Financial incentives alone won’t work. You need a robust education and R&D ecosystem, long-term collaboration between government and industry, and an inclusive, welcoming culture. These take decades to build.

Nitika: Rapid fire: what’s one hard truth about GCCs?

Dr. Ekroop: That they are creating real value.

Nitika: A contrarian opinion?

Dr. Ekroop: GCCs are no longer driven by cost arbitrage. Leadership salaries are globally competitive.

Nitika: Are GCCs a hype cycle?

Dr. Ekroop: Not at all. Growth has been steady and linear. India is structurally positioned to continue this momentum.

Nitika: Can India become the Silicon Valley of the world?

Dr. Ekroop: Certainly. Data shows it’s happening already. Bangalore ranks as the sixth most prominent tech hub globally—alongside cities like London, Beijing, and major U.S. hubs.

Nitika: What would you say to the naysayers?

Dr. Ekroop: Look at the data and take a macro view. The contours are clear.

Nitika: What does unfiltered GCC success look like to you?

Dr. Ekroop: GCCs that not only contribute to their headquarters but also build the ecosystem here in India.

Nitika: Thank you, Dr. Caur. This conversation shows how Karnataka has evolved into a true GCC hub. Every stakeholder, government, academia, start-ups, and industry, has skin in the game. India’s GCC story is no longer about back offices, but about building global products and IP here.