How India's GCCs transformed from cost centres to enterprise powerhouse

• Strategic transformation: GCCs have evolved from back-office cost centres to core business hubs managing AI, engineering and product lifecycles with specialised talent and C-suite leadership.

• Real estate dominance: GCCs account for 40% of India's office leasing over the past decade, occupying 263 million square feet and projected to exceed 350 million square feet by 2028-2029

• Strong growth trajectory: The sector is projected to grow from USD 65 billion today to USD 110 billion by 2030

This article is a part of JLL's 2026 GCC Guide:  Explore the guide here

India’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) sector has achieved a scale and depth that sets it apart on the global stage. As of 2025, GCCs in India employ over 1.9 million professionals and have accounted for almost 40% of the total office leasing across the country in the past decade. This is more than just a growth story; it highlights a sector that has shifted from cost efficiency to becoming a key driving force of innovation, talent development and business transformation.

For many years, India’s GCC sector was primarily focused on back-office roles and basic support functions. These centres aimed to deliver operational savings by leveraging India’s deep talent pool and lower real estate costs. Today, the market has transformed. GCCs now manage core operational areas, including engineering, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, customer experience, finance and human resources.

The shift is marked by changes in the workforce mix. GCCs no longer prioritise simple processing roles. Instead, organisations recruit specialists, technical experts and leaders who can drive changes and oversee business outcomes. Many GCCs now have teams that span from entry-level employees through to C-suite leadership, reflecting the complexity and ambition of the sector.

Taking ownership of delivering results is another feature defining the new shift. GCCs now manage entire product lifecycles, lead AI and machine learning initiatives, run operations, and more, influencing the global performance. By moving beyond task execution and taking responsibility for results, GCCs are showcasing close alignment with the strategic priorities of multinational organisations.

Market figures highlight how essential GCCs have become to commercial real estate. In 2025, GCCs leased 31.3 million square feet of Grade A office space, marking the sector’s highest annual absorption to date. They contributed almost 40% of total office leasing in India’s leading cities, making them stable and influential tenants.

Our research shows GCCs currently occupy more than 263 million square feet of Grade A stock in the top seven Indian cities — a figure projected to exceed 350 million square feet within the next four years. Developers and landlords are adapting, designing office projects that offer technology integration, sustainability, wellness and flexibility to match GCC operational needs.

These numbers show GCCs are no longer short-term tenants focused on opportunistic moves. They are enterprise anchors shaping development cycles, influencing investment decisions, and supporting urban growth.

Expectations for the office environment have evolved alongside GCC growth. More than 85% of GCCs aim for carbon neutrality by 2030 and choose green-certified buildings as the standard, raising benchmarks for efficiency. Hybrid working models are now established, with 50 to 60% of employees typically on-site at any given time. Offices are designed for collaboration, ideation, wellbeing and digital workflows.

Wellness zones, flexible layouts and digitally enabled spaces are becoming the norm. Offices are fitted with modular furniture, secure networks, and smart technology to support high productivity. GCCs apply these standards in their daily operations, raising market expectations for both sustainability and employee experience.

This focus has changed the role of real estate. It now plays a key role in performance, employee attraction, and resilience. GCCs set the bar for environmental standards and an evolving workplace throughout India’s commercial landscape.

India’s GCC sector is now home to a wide mix of industries. Recent growth is concentrated in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), Engineering Research and Development (ER&D) and technology. Together, these sectors make up 75% of GCC leasing. The sector is also seeing greater demand from healthcare, life sciences and customer experience functions as companies seek more strategic outcomes.

Talent is at the centre of this story. India produces more than 2.5 million science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates each year, providing both established metros, Tier II cities and other emerging cities with skilled workers. Organisations are using data-led models to evaluate city options, considering not only workforce size but also real estate cost, infrastructure and quality of life.

This approach offers flexibility and resilience, helping companies manage rapid changes and secure high-quality people amid rising competition.

India’s GCC sector demonstrates the impact of focused strategy and consistent investment, with the present market valued at approximately USD 65 billion. 

Looking ahead, the sector is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.2 per cent and reach a market size of USD 110 billion by 2030. GCCs are also expected to surpass 350 million square feet of Grade A stock within the next three to four years.

Here’s a summary in numbers:

(Source: India GCC Guide 2026)

With this momentum, India’s GCC sector is poised for sustained expansion and deeper market influence. Organisations prepared for these shifts will be well positioned to capture new opportunities and create long-term value.