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Date of Event:
Jul 22, 2025
India is now home to more than 53% of the world's Global Capability Centres (GCCs), according to a new report by Vestian Research, which maps the evolution and spread of these centres across the country. Of the estimated 3,200 GCCs globally, nearly 1,700 are located in India, solidifying the country's position as the world's leading destination for global operations, research and development, and digital transformation.
What began in the 1990s as a cost-saving model for back-office and IT support has matured into a strategic, innovation-driven ecosystem. GCCs today are no longer just extensions of global headquarters; they are increasingly core to how multinational firms operate and grow.
Bengaluru remains the beating heart of India's GCC landscape, with 487 centres accounting for 29% of the national total. Hyderabad follows with 273 centres (16%), the fastest-growing GCC destination in the country. The National Capital Region (NCR) is close behind with 272 centres, also at 16%, bolstered by its proximity to policymakers and strong infrastructure.
Mumbai has 207 centres, Pune 178, and Chennai 162. Together, these six cities account for 94% of all GCCs in India.
Yet Vestian's report highlights a growing shift. With the Union Budget 2025 proposing a national framework to support GCC growth in Tier-2 cities, global companies are beginning to look beyond traditional metros.
Ahmedabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Indore, Mohali, Bhubaneswar, and Madurai are among the emerging hubs drawing attention. As infrastructure improves and state governments offer competitive incentives, these cities are expected to absorb a significant share of the 150 new GCCs projected to be established each year. Vestian estimates that India will house over 2,100 GCCs by FY 2028, growing at a compound annual rate of 8%.
While IT and ITeS companies still dominate—making up 49% of all GCCs—other sectors are steadily expanding their footprint. The BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance) sector accounts for 17%, while healthcare, manufacturing, telecom, and consulting together contribute another 19%. This diversification marks a shift in how GCCs are being used, with many now driving core innovation and business strategy.
"India's leading office markets continue to offer a compelling value proposition to GCCs, characterised by competitive costs, a highly skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, progressive policy incentives, and a conducive business environment," said Shrinivas Rao, FRICS, CEO of Vestian. "However, selecting the right location remains critical to the long-term success of any GCC."
Vestian's GCC Market Entry Index has been designed to support companies in making those choices, helping them align location strategy with sector-specific business needs.
India's growing dominance in the GCC space isn't just a numbers game. As global firms chase efficiency and talent across geographies, the country's urban map is beginning to redraw itself.
With the right policy push and infrastructure momentum, the next phase of GCC expansion could belong as much to Bhubaneswar and Coimbatore as it has to Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
What began in the 1990s as a cost-saving model for back-office and IT support has matured into a strategic, innovation-driven ecosystem. GCCs today are no longer just extensions of global headquarters; they are increasingly core to how multinational firms operate and grow.
Bengaluru remains the beating heart of India's GCC landscape, with 487 centres accounting for 29% of the national total. Hyderabad follows with 273 centres (16%), the fastest-growing GCC destination in the country. The National Capital Region (NCR) is close behind with 272 centres, also at 16%, bolstered by its proximity to policymakers and strong infrastructure.
Mumbai has 207 centres, Pune 178, and Chennai 162. Together, these six cities account for 94% of all GCCs in India.
Yet Vestian's report highlights a growing shift. With the Union Budget 2025 proposing a national framework to support GCC growth in Tier-2 cities, global companies are beginning to look beyond traditional metros.
Ahmedabad, Kochi, Coimbatore, Indore, Mohali, Bhubaneswar, and Madurai are among the emerging hubs drawing attention. As infrastructure improves and state governments offer competitive incentives, these cities are expected to absorb a significant share of the 150 new GCCs projected to be established each year. Vestian estimates that India will house over 2,100 GCCs by FY 2028, growing at a compound annual rate of 8%.
While IT and ITeS companies still dominate—making up 49% of all GCCs—other sectors are steadily expanding their footprint. The BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance) sector accounts for 17%, while healthcare, manufacturing, telecom, and consulting together contribute another 19%. This diversification marks a shift in how GCCs are being used, with many now driving core innovation and business strategy.
"India's leading office markets continue to offer a compelling value proposition to GCCs, characterised by competitive costs, a highly skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, progressive policy incentives, and a conducive business environment," said Shrinivas Rao, FRICS, CEO of Vestian. "However, selecting the right location remains critical to the long-term success of any GCC."
Vestian's GCC Market Entry Index has been designed to support companies in making those choices, helping them align location strategy with sector-specific business needs.
India's growing dominance in the GCC space isn't just a numbers game. As global firms chase efficiency and talent across geographies, the country's urban map is beginning to redraw itself.
With the right policy push and infrastructure momentum, the next phase of GCC expansion could belong as much to Bhubaneswar and Coimbatore as it has to Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
