Deloitte plans to add about 50,000 employees in India, as the firm evaluates Mangaluru for future expansion, senior leadership said on January 17, 2026, highlighting the growing role of Tier II cities in supporting global capability centre growth.
What changed in Deloitte’s India strategy
Deloitte continues to place India at the centre of its global delivery model. The firm currently employs around 140,000 people in the country. That figure represents nearly one-fourth of its global workforce.
At a public forum, Deloitte leadership confirmed that India will anchor future hiring. Expansion will come through both existing centres and new city locations.
Why Deloitte is looking beyond metro cities
While large cities remain important, the company is increasing its focus on Tier II and Tier III markets. These locations offer access to skilled talent. They also provide cost advantages and improving infrastructure.
Speaking at TiEcon Mangaluru 2026, Romal Shetty, CEO of Deloitte South Asia, said the firm was actively assessing Mangaluru. He cited talent availability and real estate conditions as key factors.
Infrastructure and scale remain key factors
Deloitte flagged infrastructure readiness as a requirement for large-scale operations. Energy supply and water availability matter, especially for data centres and high-compute workloads.
Shetty also said setting up a GCC in India takes too long. He noted that current timelines stretch to six months. He argued that faster, plug-and-play systems are needed to support scale.
Deloitte links hiring to city-led innovation
Deloitte leadership also pointed to the need for closer ties between universities, companies, and government bodies. Research and development investment remains a priority.
Shetty said India’s growth depends on more cities participating in the technology economy. He added that long-term expansion requires ecosystems where startups, GCCs, and academic institutions work together.
