How Do Over 1,700 Global Capabilities Centres Employ 19 Lakh People in India?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 1,700 GCCs operate in India, employing more than 19 lakh people.
- Revenue from GCCs has surged from $40.4 billion to $64.6 billion in five years.
- A national framework is being developed to enhance GCCs in tier II cities.
- State governments are introducing policies to support GCC establishment and expansion.
- GCCs are shifting from basic functions to R&D and design roles.
New Delhi, Aug 6 (NationPress) Currently, over 1,700 global capabilities centres (GCCs) are operational in India, providing jobs for more than 19 lakh individuals, as reported to Parliament on Wednesday.
The revenue generated by these GCCs has significantly increased over the past five years, rising from $40.4 billion in FY19 to $64.6 billion in FY24, reflecting a 9.8% CAGR, according to Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, in a written response to the Lok Sabha, referencing data from the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom).
The role of GCCs has evolved from basic task support to becoming leading hubs for research, development, and design, as per the minister. Collectively, these centres employ over 19 lakh individuals in the nation.
In the Union Budget 2025–2026, it was announced that a national framework will be set up to guide states in enhancing GCCs in tier II cities, strengthening India's GCC ecosystem.
This framework is designed to offer recommendations on enhancing infrastructure, talent availability, and establishing mechanisms for industry collaboration.
Moreover, several state governments—including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana—are introducing specific policies to facilitate the growth and establishment of GCCs, as noted by the minister.
Just last week, SBI Capital Markets (SBICAPS) reported that the number of GCCs in India is anticipated to rise from 1,700 to over 2,200 by 2030.
The report suggests a 25-30% increase in REIT assets under management (AUM) in the upcoming years, due to a broader array of asset classes and a consistent influx of investable assets.
Leasing for office spaces set a new record in CY24, with a 20% surge in rents and a decline in vacancy rates.
According to the report, momentum is expected to continue into CY25, particularly in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Pune, as highlighted by the investment banking division of the State Bank of India (SBI).
GCCs have become a primary source of demand, with multinational corporations leveraging India for core operations instead of merely seeking labor arbitrage. The report anticipates a 1.3 times growth for these facilities in the near future.