India’s GCC Recruitment Sees 4–6% Growth in Q3 Despite AI Skill Shortages
Synopsis
Bengaluru reports a 4-6% rise in hiring at India's Global Capability Centres in Q3 FY2026, despite significant skill shortages in AI and platform engineering, according to a new report. The shift towards specialized capabilities highlights an urgent need for upskilling.
Key Takeaways
Hiring in Indian GCCs increased by 4–6% in Q3 FY2026.
Significant skill shortages exist in AI and platform engineering .
GCCs are focusing on specialized capabilities instead of broad hiring.
Demand is strong for skills in areas like GenAI and cybersecurity .
Emerging hubs in Tier-2 cities are seeing growth.
Bengaluru, Feb 26 (NationPress) The recruitment landscape in India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) witnessed a growth of 4–6 percent quarter-on-quarter in Q3 FY2026, as revealed by a recent report, despite the ongoing struggle with significant skill deficiencies in high-demand sectors such as AI and platform engineering.
According to the ‘Quess GCC Talent Trends Q3 FY2026’ report published by Quess Corp, India is home to approximately 1,850–1,900 active GCCs, anticipating a workforce nearing 2.5 million professionals.
The report emphasizes that while recruitment remains stable, GCCs are transitioning from broad hiring practices to cultivating more refined and specialized capabilities.
As per the findings, the gap in essential technology skills has notably expanded.
Specifically, the supply shortage has escalated to 43 percent in AI, Data and Analytics roles and 38 percent in Platform Engineering.
There is a particularly strong demand for expertise in areas such as GenAI engineering, MLOps pipelines, AI observability, Terraform, Kubernetes, FinOps automation, and Zero-Trust cybersecurity.
The report highlights that hiring for mid- to senior-level positions is significantly impacted, with companies finding it challenging to locate seasoned professionals in emerging technology fields.
Simultaneously, GCCs are prioritizing investments in specialized functions over rapid workforce expansion, indicating a shift towards “precision over volume”.
Kapil Joshi, CEO of Quess IT Staffing, noted that the supply gaps ranging from 18 percent to 43 percent across sectors like AI/ML Ops, platform engineering, cybersecurity, and GenAI operations highlight the urgent need for accelerated upskilling and enhanced talent mobility.
He stressed that as GCCs transition from extensive growth to capability refinement, it's crucial to build workforces capable of balancing innovation, speed, and resilience.
The report also indicated that Tier-2 cities such as Coimbatore, Kochi, and Ahmedabad are emerging as alternative hubs due to their cost benefits.
The presence of GCCs in these regions has increased to around 9–10 percent. However, the depth of mid- and senior-level talent in Tier-2 cities still falls short compared to more established Tier-1 markets.
Point of View
It is evident that while the growth in hiring at GCCs is promising, the associated skill shortages in technology indicate a pressing need for strategic workforce development. This transition towards specialization rather than volume is a crucial step in aligning talent with the future demands of the industry.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage growth did hiring see in Q3 FY2026?
Hiring in India's Global Capability Centres grew by 4–6 percent quarter-on-quarter in Q3 FY2026.
What are the major skill shortages reported?
The report highlighted significant skill shortages in AI, Data and Analytics roles, and Platform Engineering.
Which cities are emerging as alternative hubs for GCCs?
Tier-2 cities such as Coimbatore, Kochi, and Ahmedabad are gaining traction as alternative hubs due to cost advantages.
What is the expected workforce size in Indian GCCs?
The expected workforce in Indian GCCs is nearly 2.5 million professionals.
What is the shift in hiring focus for GCCs?
GCCs are shifting their focus from large-scale recruitment to building deeper and more specialized capabilities.
