What if the next billion-dollar innovation for a Fortune 500 company isn’t born in Silicon Valley, London, or Tokyo — but in India?
In the past few years, some of the world’s most influential boardrooms have been making a quiet yet game-changing shift: moving their core innovation, engineering, and strategy functions to Indian cities. And it’s not just about cutting costs — it’s about building the future.
Over the past decade, India has emerged as the go-to destination for any global corporation seeking to establish or expand operations outside its home market. Fueled by abundant talent, cost efficiency, and a thriving innovation ecosystem, the country has become a magnet for Global Capability Centers (GCCs). These centers are no longer just back-office support hubs; they are strategic powerhouses driving product innovation, digital transformation, and operational excellence for their parent companies.
Whether it’s technology, finance, healthcare, or manufacturing, a global corporation looking to scale can find its sweet spot in one of India’s thriving cities. In this article, we’ll explore the Top 5 Indian cities where global corporation investments in GCCs have flourished — and why these locations have become magnets for large-scale, knowledge-intensive operations.
If there’s one Indian city synonymous with innovation, technology, and engineering excellence, it’s Bengaluru. For decades, the city has attracted a global corporation looking to tap into its robust IT ecosystem, world-class research institutions, and a startup culture that breeds innovation.
From software development and R&D to AI and analytics, Bengaluru’s GCC landscape is diverse and forward-looking. This is where global enterprises not only find the talent they need but also the collaborative networks that drive continuous improvement. It’s no wonder the city is also referred to as the gcc hub of India.
According to research, In Q1 2025, Bengaluru accounted for nearly 33% of all GCC office leasing activity in India.
A global corporation setting up shop here can leverage specialized Talent Solutions providers who understand the nuances of high-skill hiring in cutting-edge domains. Many companies also experiment with AI recruitment tools to streamline and scale hiring processes in this talent-rich environment.
Once known mainly for its pearl and IT exports, Hyderabad has reinvented itself as a GCC powerhouse over the past decade. Today, a global corporation considering India cannot overlook the city's modern infrastructure, proactive state government policies, and a rapidly growing skilled workforce.
Global pharmaceutical giants, BFSI leaders, and technology innovators have all chosen Hyderabad for high-value work ranging from cybersecurity to product design. The city is also home to one of the most business-friendly state governments in India, ensuring smoother compliance and ease of doing business.
According to a study, Hyderabad holds 12% of India’s total GCC footprint.
For companies seeking to establish operations through the Build-Operate-Transfer model, Hyderabad offers the perfect balance between cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency. In fact, many early entrants here have scaled their teams at record speed, making it a top choice for a global corporation seeking rapid growth.
Pune may not have the scale of Bengaluru, but it more than makes up for it with its deep expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and product development. For a global corporation in the automotive, industrial design, or embedded systems space, Pune offers unmatched domain-specific talent.
The city’s universities produce highly skilled engineers who are ready to work in complex R&D environments. In addition, Pune boasts a strong manufacturing base, making it ideal for GCCs that bridge physical product design and digital engineering.
Pune is also emerging as a preferred location for Global business services in analytics, supply chain optimization, and customer experience. For a global corporation seeking to integrate technology with domain expertise, Pune offers a unique proposition.
Chennai has quietly built a reputation for operational efficiency and domain expertise, particularly in sectors such as automotive, manufacturing, BFSI, and IT services. A global corporation with a focus on process excellence will find Chennai’s disciplined work culture and highly skilled professionals a major advantage.
The city is home to several large-scale GCCs that manage mission-critical operations such as financial processing, compliance, and engineering services. Many Fortune 500 companies have built their GCC solutions here, making Chennai an important gcc hub in the southern region, supported by a network of local and international service providers.
For a global corporation, Chennai’s ecosystem is well-suited for steady, high-performance operations. Many companies also leverage the city as a cost-efficient base for specialized back-office functions that require both accuracy and scale.
In the north, Gurugram has become the go-to city for a global corporation targeting markets in India and beyond. With its proximity to the capital, world-class commercial infrastructure, and a cosmopolitan workforce, Gurugram is particularly popular among GCCs in sectors like finance, technology, e-commerce, and consulting.
Global financial institutions, tech firms, and professional services companies have set up their innovation labs and customer delivery centers here. The city's vibrant corporate culture and excellent connectivity to Delhi International Airport make it a natural choice for multinational leadership teams.
In many cases, Gurugram also serves as a headquarters for a global corporation’s India operations. Its ecosystem supports everything from Talent Solutions to advanced digital transformation initiatives.
Each of these cities offers unique advantages, and the best choice for a global corporation depends on factors like industry focus, talent requirements, and cost considerations. While Bengaluru remains the innovation epicenter, Hyderabad offers speed, Pune brings engineering depth, Chennai excels in process discipline, and Gurugram delivers leadership access.
India’s GCC landscape has evolved to serve as more than a cost-saving mechanism. Today, it’s about tapping into innovation, scaling digital capabilities, and building resilience. Companies looking for sustainable growth can partner with experienced service providers offering GCC solutions tailored to specific business needs.
Whether you’re setting up a technology lab, an R&D center, or Global business services delivery hub, India’s top cities provide the perfect foundation for long-term success. Strategic models like Build-Operate-Transfer further allow a global corporation to enter quickly, operate efficiently, and eventually take full control of its operations.
Looking ahead, the case for India as the destination of choice for GCCs is only getting stronger. With increasing adoption of automation, AI, and cloud computing, the role of GCCs will shift further toward innovation and value creation. AI recruitment tools will make talent acquisition faster and more precise, ensuring that every global corporation can access the right skills at the right time.
Moreover, as geopolitical shifts drive diversification of supply chains and operational hubs, India’s stable political environment, favorable demographics, and robust infrastructure will make it indispensable for global operational strategies.
At Anlage, we help build GCC solutions tailored to your business vision — from market entry and Build-Operate-Transfer models to end-to-end Talent Solutions and operational excellence. Whether you’re a startup or an established multinational, our expertise ensures your GCC becomes a strategic driver of growth.
Ready to explore your GCC journey in India? Contact us today to discuss how we can turn your vision into a high-impact reality.
Gaurav Chawla, COO of Anlage Infotech, emphasized the transformative role of AI-powered analytics in HR at the 5th Edition of the GCC Summit 2024. Highlighting predictive analysis and smart tool utilization, he shared how these technologies can cut hiring cycle times by up to 60%, driving greater efficiency. The event took place at GMR Aerocity Hyderabad.
READ MORE
