India has emerged as the undisputed global leader in hosting Global Capability Centres (GCCs), with over 1,800 centres serving more than 1,400 multinational corporations, of which over 100 new centres were added in just the past two years. GCCs occupy over 240 million square feet of Grade A office space across India's top seven cities. In the last 18 months alone, GCCs have leased 35.2 million square feet of space in India. As per JLL India, the number of GCCs in India is expected to exceed 2,300 by 2026-27, occupying more than 280 million square feet. The future appears bright for India's GCC sector, with GCCs accounting for approximately 50% of active, ongoing space requirements across the top seven cities.
India has emerged as the undisputed global leader in hosting Global Capability Centres (GCCs), reflecting the country's growing prominence in the international business arena. According to JLL India, India now boasts over 1,800 GCCs, serving over 1,400 multinational corporations. This remarkable achievement has been further boosted by adding over 100 new centres in the past two years (since 2022), underscoring India's appeal as a premier destination for multinational giants seeking to optimise their global operations. GCCs are offshore captive centres of multinational companies that handle a range of support functions, including back-office operations, IT assistance, and customer relationship management. Some large companies also utilise GCCs as centres of excellence.
These GCCs now occupy more than 240 million square feet of Grade A office space across India's top seven cities: Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Pune. Notably, Bengaluru, the "Silicon Valley of India," leads the pack, accounting for approximately 42% of the total space occupied by GCCs. This concentration reflects Bengaluru's unparalleled tech ecosystem, world-class educational institutions, and cosmopolitan work culture, which attract top talent from around the globe.
In the last 18 months alone, GCCs have leased 35.2 million square feet of space in India. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai collectively accounted for three-fourths of this leased space. Looking ahead, the number of GCCs in India is expected to exceed 2,300 by 2026-27, occupying more than 280 million square feet. The GCC landscape in India is dominated by three key sectors: Manufacturing, IT/ITeS, and BFSI, collectively representing about 78% of the occupied area. This concentration reflects India's strengths in technology, finance, and industrial expertise, as well as the country's ability to support complex, high-value operations across these domains.
According to Rahul Arora, Head of Office Leasing and Retail Services, and Senior Managing Director for Karnataka and Kerala at JLL India, the current landscape showcases Global Capability Centres in India at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and advanced manufacturing. He noted that these GCCs have evolved beyond mere service providers and are now becoming the critical nerve centres of global corporations, with Indian leadership securing pivotal roles in shaping worldwide business strategies.
The future appears bright for India's GCC sector. GCCs account for approximately 50% of active, ongoing space requirements across the top seven cities, signalling continued expansion and investment in the country. As GCCs evolve from cost-saving centres to transformation hubs, India's role in driving global business innovation and digital transformation is set to grow even further. With its vast talent pool, quality infrastructure, and supportive government policies, India continues to cement its position as the world's premier destination for Global Capability Centres, driving innovation and high-end capabilities for global corporations.
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
