India’s GCC growth accelerated in 2025 as capability centres expanded hiring, widened engineering roles, and added new units across several cities, according to data issued by the government on 11 December. Companies moved critical workloads into India, strengthened R&D activity, and deepened their presence during the year-end cycle.
How India’s GCC growth expanded in 2025
India’s GCC growth broadened as companies shifted more advanced functions into their Indian centres. As hiring continued into 2025 and firms widened roles in research, design, cybersecurity, and digital operations, the ecosystem recorded more than 19 lakh employees as of now. Revenue rose to 64.6 billion dollars in FY24 after steady compound annual growth of 9.8 percent since FY19.
Over five years, India added more than 400 new GCCs. Another 1,100 units expanded internal functions as companies reorganized their global workflows. These centres moved far beyond support services and adopted complex engineering, aerospace, defence, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing work. Many also centralised operational ecosystems in India, especially in high-tech sectors.
Employment impact as India’s GCC growth deepened
Hiring reflected the scale of India’s GCC growth. India contributed 28 percent of the global STEM workforce and 23 percent of global software engineering talent. This talent base supported rapid expansion in AI, ML, cloud computing, data analytics, digital services, and cybersecurity.
Workforce demand spread across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, and the National Capital Region. Companies hired in multi-disciplinary teams and added senior leadership roles. Global leadership positions are expected to rise from 6,500 to more than 30,000 by 2030 as these centres handle higher-order work.
Engineering R&D centres grew 1.3 times faster than the overall GCC base. This introduced new opportunities for workers in aerospace, semiconductor design, materials engineering, and defence technology. These roles moved India’s GCC landscape toward deeper innovation rather than cost-driven outsourcing.
Policies shaping the year for GCC expansion
Government programmes influenced India’s GCC growth across infrastructure, regulation, and talent. MeitY’s Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters and GENESIS initiatives created ready-built factory spaces, plug-and-play facilities, and support systems for rapid deployment. These clusters encouraged global manufacturers and their supply chains to base operations in India.
Startup India and DPIIT recognition expanded a feeder network of more than 1.97 lakh startups. Many of these startups supplied AI tools, digital services, automation systems, and software capabilities to GCCs. This created a two-layer ecosystem in which global centres and domestic innovators worked in the same technology space.
Talent skilling programmes also supported hiring. Skill India, Digital India, and Future Skills Prime trained workers in cloud, AI, data, cybersecurity, and platform engineering. These programmes maintained a continuous supply of next-generation talent for expanding centres.
Regulatory reforms made operations smoother. India continued to improve in Ease of Doing Business metrics. Liberalised FDI rules, simplified SEZ processes, and single-window clearances reduced friction for new facilities. Companies used these conditions to accelerate setup and expansion throughout 2025.
Official data that defined the 2025 cycle
The GCC ecosystem is projected to reach 105 billion dollars by 2030 with nearly 2,400 centres and more than 2.8 million employees. The Economic Survey 2024–25 noted that GCCs in India have moved into strategic engineering R&D and no longer operate as traditional back-office units. The survey also highlighted India’s expanded role in aerospace, defence, semiconductor development, and advanced manufacturing.
These shifts strengthened India’s position in global digital and engineering networks. Capability centres now handle strategic operations for parent organisations worldwide, supported by India’s skilled workforce and policy framework.
India’s GCC growth entering 2026
By the close of 2025, India’s GCC growth stands as a force reshaping global enterprise structures. Centres across the country now oversee research, engineering design, digital transformation, operational control, and other high-value technology functions. The ecosystem enters 2026 with wider infrastructure, stronger capabilities, and a steadily expanding role within global corporate networks.
