India's GCCs lead global AI mandate, grow 32% since FY21: Nasscom
Synopsis
India's GCCs are no longer just delivery engines — they are now architecting AI governance, owning global products, and setting enterprise-wide standards. With 32% growth since FY21, over 1,200 centres embedding AI, and 250,000 AI professionals on the ground, India has quietly become the world's AI nerve centre for multinational enterprises.
Key Takeaways
India hosts 2,117 GCCs across 3,728 units , employing 2.36 million professionals as of FY26 .
GCC count has grown 32% since FY21 ; 506 of the Forbes Global 2000 now operate from India.
More than 1,200 GCCs have embedded AI and ML capabilities, backed by over 250 dedicated Centres of Excellence .
India's GCC AI talent pool stands at 250,000 professionals .
Nearly 50% of GCCs now operate at a high maturity stage, with 64% of site leaders holding dual global-functional mandates.
India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are rapidly transitioning from back-end delivery hubs into strategic nerve centres driving artificial intelligence (AI) adoption for global enterprises, according to a new report released on Wednesday, 6 May 2025. The findings, compiled by Nasscom in collaboration with research firm Zinnov, reveal a sweeping structural shift in how multinational corporations leverage their India operations.
Key Numbers Behind the Growth
India currently hosts 2,117 GCCs operating across 3,728 units and employing approximately 2.36 million professionals as of FY26. The number of GCCs in the country has grown 32 per cent since FY21, with an estimated 506 of the Forbes Global 2000 companies now running operations from India, according to the report.
Notably, nearly half of all GCCs established since FY21 were built with AI as a core focus from inception — a signal of how profoundly the mandate has shifted from cost arbitrage to capability building.
AI Embedded at Scale
The report, titled
Point of View
The 2.36 million-strong workforce will need continuous reskilling at a pace Indian institutions have historically struggled to match. The 32% growth headline is impressive; the maturity scorecard behind it is the more consequential story.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India?
A Global Capability Centre (GCC) is an offshore unit set up by a multinational corporation to handle specialised functions — from IT and finance to R&D and AI development. India currently hosts 2,117 such centres employing around 2.36 million professionals as of FY26.
How much have India's GCCs grown since FY21?
India's GCC count has grown 32 per cent since FY21, according to the Nasscom-Zinnov report released on 6 May 2025. An estimated 506 of the Forbes Global 2000 companies now run operations from India.
How many GCCs in India have embedded AI capabilities?
More than 1,200 GCCs in India have embedded AI and machine learning capabilities, supported by over 250 dedicated Centres of Excellence and a talent base of 250,000 AI professionals, according to the report.
What does 'high maturity' mean for India's GCCs?
According to the Nasscom-Zinnov report, nearly 50 per cent of GCCs now operate at a high maturity stage, meaning they have moved beyond capability-focused operations to architecting decisions, AI governance, and formulating enterprise-wide standards.
What did Nasscom President Rajesh Nambiar say about India's GCC ecosystem?
Nasscom President Rajesh Nambiar stated that India's GCC ecosystem is undergoing a fundamental reset, with AI acting as the catalyst for the shift from scale to value. He added that GCCs are increasingly taking ownership of global products, platforms, and business outcomes.
