India has emerged as a major hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs). Global firms now see India as a key destination for innovation and technology. According to the India Laboratory of Global Capability Centres JLL and CRE Matrix report, GCCs occupy more than 202 million sq ft of Grade A office space across India’s top six cities. The sector also employs nearly 1.8 million people nationwide.
The strong growth reflects India’s expanding technology ecosystem and skilled workforce. GCCs now play a major role in India’s office leasing activity. These centres support global operations across technology, banking, consulting, engineering, and healthcare sectors. As demand rises, India continues to strengthen its position as a global business destination.
GCCs Occupy Over 200 Mn Sq Ft Office Space in India
GCCs currently occupy around 202.6 million sq ft of Grade A office stock. The report covers Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, and Delhi NCR. GCCs now account for nearly 34% of occupied Grade A office space across these cities.
The sector has grown rapidly during the last decade. GCC office occupancy stood at 65.7 million sq ft in 2012. The figure later increased to 174.7 million sq ft in 2017. The steady rise highlights strong demand from multinational companies entering India.
India also hosts more than 1,790 GCCs across 1,400 global occupiers. Many firms continue expanding their operations due to India’s skilled talent base and lower operating costs. The report added that GCCs remain one of the strongest office demand drivers in India.
Bengaluru and Hyderabad Lead India’s GCC Growth
Bengaluru remains India’s largest GCC market. The city accounts for nearly 42% of total GCC office occupancy. GCCs occupy around 85 million sq ft of office space in Bengaluru alone. The city also hosts more than 460 GCC occupiers.
Hyderabad ranks as the second-largest GCC destination in India. The city holds around 16% share of the total GCC stock. Strong infrastructure and technology talent continue to attract global firms to Hyderabad.
Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR also maintain strong GCC activity. Pune accounts for nearly 10% of GCC stock. Chennai and Mumbai each hold close to 10% share. Delhi NCR contributes around 13% of the total occupied GCC office space.
Technology and BFSI Firms Dominate GCC Demand
Technology companies hold the largest share in India’s GCC ecosystem. IT and ITeS firms account for nearly 46% of total GCC office occupancy. Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance firms contribute another 19% share.
Industrial and manufacturing firms also continue expanding their GCC presence. These companies account for nearly 13% of occupied GCC office stock. Healthcare and biotech firms are also increasing their footprint across major cities.
The report highlighted strong leasing momentum from technology and BFSI firms. Together, these sectors contributed nearly 64% of GCC leasing demand between 2018 and H1 2022. Demand for artificial intelligence, data science, and engineering research centres also increased during the period.
India’s Talent Pool and Infrastructure Support GCC Expansion
India’s large talent pool remains a key growth driver for GCCs. The country produced nearly 8.28 million graduates during 2019-20. Around 2.3 million graduates came from engineering, technology, IT, and computer science streams.
India also offers competitive office rentals compared to major Asia-Pacific markets. Cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai continue attracting multinational occupiers due to lower operating costs.
Government policies further support GCC expansion in India. Initiatives like Make in India, Production Linked Incentive schemes, and infrastructure development programmes continue to boost investor confidence. Improved digital infrastructure and Grade A office supply also strengthen India’s business ecosystem.
GCCs Continue Driving Future Office Demand in India
GCCs currently account for nearly 44% of active office space requirements across India’s top cities. The report estimated active GCC requirements at around 37 million sq ft. Bengaluru and Pune continue to lead future demand momentum.
The sector also dominates pre-commitments in upcoming office projects. GCCs account for nearly 51% of total pre-committed office space for future supply. BFSI firms lead many of these upcoming commitments.
The report projected that India may host more than 2,300 GCCs during the next few years. Total GCC office occupancy could cross 270 million sq ft in the future. Strong technology capabilities and innovation-driven growth continue to support this expansion.
India Strengthens Its Position as a Global GCC Destination
India’s GCC ecosystem has evolved from back-office operations into innovation and research hubs. Global firms now use Indian centres for advanced technology, product development, and strategic business functions.
Bengaluru and Hyderabad continue leading the market, while other cities steadily expand their GCC footprint. Technology, BFSI, engineering, and healthcare firms remain the biggest occupiers in the segment.
The report highlighted that India’s strong talent base, lower costs, and expanding infrastructure continue to attract multinational firms. As global companies increase investments, GCCs are expected to remain a major growth driver for India’s office market.
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