Why Global Companies Are Betting Bigger on India Than Ever Before

Created On: June 18, 2026
India, Newsletter

Modified On: June 18, 2026

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Summary:

Companies initially chose India for operational efficiency, scalable talent, and stronger support capabilities, but the focus has now shifted toward building long-term business capability. India’s GCC sector has grown rapidly, reaching more than 2,100 centers, employing around 2.36 million professionals, and generating nearly $100 billion in FY26, years ahead of earlier projections. GCCs today are no longer limited to support functions and are leading product development, AI, cybersecurity, platform management, and business decision-making. Global organizations are increasingly setting up AI-first centers designed to contribute directly to business growth. Talent quality, leadership capability, and specialized digital skills now matter more than workforce size alone. With expansion extending beyond traditional hubs and increasing global investment, India is becoming a priority location for global capability and innovation.

Not too long ago, setting up a global capability center in India was largely a cost decision. Companies prioritized operational efficiency. They wanted access to talent at scale. Organizations also sought support functions that could help global teams work more effectively.

Today, the equation looks very different. Executives evaluating India are no longer asking whether they can reduce costs. The question today is whether they can build capability here. Although the shift is subtle, it’s an important one.

Once businesses examine the evolving GCC environment in India, they realize that the role of these centers has evolved significantly from what it was a decade ago.

Currently, over 2,100 GCCs in India employ around 2.36 million professionals. In FY 26, these centers generated close to $100 billion in aggregate revenue. What’s remarkable isn’t just the scale. It’s how quickly that scale has arrived. Industry projections once expected that these figures would be achievable around 2030. Instead, the market got there much sooner.

(Source – https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/the-big-boom-how-indias-gcc-story-hits-2030-target-4-years-early-530265-2026-05-07)

This acceleration reveals that global companies aren’t expanding their presence in India because it’s familiar. They’re expanding because the business case keeps getting stronger.

From Supporting the Business to Driving It

One of the biggest misconceptions about GCCs is that they still function primarily as support hubs. Today, teams in India are engaged in a wide range of activities. They are:

Building products
Managing global platforms
Developing AI solutions
Leading cybersecurity initiatives
Solving challenges across enterprises

They are also engaged in making decisions that have a direct impact on business outcomes across multiple regions. That’s a far cry from the transactional work GCCs were once associated with.

In fact, some of the newest entrants are being established with a completely different mindset. They are being designed as AI-first operations from the first day. Their purpose isn’t simply to execute instructions from headquarters. It’s to create, innovate, and contribute strategically. This change has transformed how global leadership teams perceive India today.

Talent Remains the Biggest Attraction

Every market talks about talent. India continues to back that priority with scale. But what’s interesting is that the question has moved beyond headcount. Five or ten years ago, businesses wanted assurance that they could hire thousands of people. Today, most leaders already know that talent volume isn’t an issue. The questions they’re asking are more targeted. These include:

Whether they can find leaders capable of building a world-class center and running it
Whether they can hire professionals with deep experience in AI, analytics, cloud, cybersecurity, and digital transformation
If they can build teams that can create value immediately instead of spending months ramping up

These are important questions as businesses find themselves under pressure to move faster than before.

Fortunately the GCC environment in India has matured along with these expectations. Between the technology services sector, startups, multinational corporations, research institutions, and existing GCCs, organizations have access to one of the deepest talent pools anywhere in the world. This advantage continues to attract investment.

Growth Is No Longer Limited to a Few Cities

For years, Bengaluru was the first choice for establishing a global capability center in India. While the city continues to be the largest GCC hub in the country, the growth trajectory is becoming much broader.

For financial services and banking organizations, Hyderabad is now an emerging destination. New investments are also pouring into other cities.

Interestingly, the growth is visible from both directions. On one side, new GCCs are entering the market. On the other, existing ones are expanding their mandates and increasing their headcounts. They are also taking on more strategic responsibilities. The momentum created as a result of this combination is worth understanding.

City	Current Position in India’s GCC Market	Key Growth Drivers	Business Trend
Bengaluru	Largest and most established GCC hub	Mature business environment, deep talent availability, strong technology presence	Existing GCCs expanding scope, leadership roles, and global responsibilities
Hyderabad	Fast-emerging destination, especially for financial services and banking	Skilled workforce, business infrastructure, growing enterprise investments	Increasing setup of new GCCs and expansion of strategic functions
Chennai	Growing GCC location with strong operational and technology capabilities	Engineering talent, enterprise support functions, digital operations	New investments and broader delivery mandates
Pune	Expanding GCC footprint across industries	Technology talent, business services capability, established corporate presence	Growth in headcount and wider business ownership
Mumbai	Important hub for finance-led and corporate GCC operations	Financial services concentration, leadership and commercial functions	Increasing focus on decision-making and business ownership
Delhi	Emerging location for diversified GCC operations	Large talent pool and proximity to corporate headquarters	Entry of new GCCs and expansion into strategic functions

Every successful center strengthens the ecosystem around it with:

Deeper talent pools
Better leadership capability
Specialized expertise

This results in a cycle that continues to attract global businesses looking for long-term value.

Why This Matters Now

Global businesses are undergoing a significant change:

AI is transforming industries
The expectations of customers are evolving
Businesses are under pressure to innovate and maintain operational resilience at the same time

In such a scenario, decisions related to location are more important than ever. A significant number of organizations are considering India because it offers a market that offers talent, capability, maturity, and scalability in one place. That’s precisely why India is becoming a central hub for global business operations. The evidence is visible in the investment decisions being made by multinational organizations in the country. India is no longer playing a supporting role in global growth strategies. In many cases, it is becoming a priority for them.

Professional Consultation for Building a Global Capability Center in India

For companies exploring their next phase of expansion, the opportunity is no longer limited to establishing a presence. It’s about building a global capability center that can contribute significantly to innovation, growth, and long-term success for businesses.

Organizations looking to set up their GCC in India often consult IMC for a comprehensive strategy. The professionals assist businesses in evaluating their approach and offer valuable guidance to put them on track. The companies achieving the greatest success are not treating India as an extension of their business, but an integral part of the organization. It’s that distinction that defines the momentum GCCs have created in India.

Author Bio:

Poornima J is an experienced business writer specializing in Global Capability Centers (GCCs), international expansion, and cross-border business operations. She works closely with advisory professionals to convert evolving market trends and business developments into practical, decision-oriented content. Her writing focuses on topics including GCC setup, talent strategy, regulatory considerations, and operating models across global markets. Through structured and business-focused content, she supports organizations evaluating growth opportunities and long-term expansion plans.

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Why Global Companies Are Betting Bigger on India Than Ever Before

Summary:

From Supporting the Business to Driving It

Talent Remains the Biggest Attraction

Growth Is No Longer Limited to a Few Cities

Why This Matters Now

Professional Consultation for Building a Global Capability Center in India

Author Bio:

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