Introduction: India’s Global Capability Centres Surge Ahead

India continues to reinforce its position as the world’s leading destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), registering a remarkable 30.8% growth in the first half of 2024 (January–June), according to DD News. This surge is not just a testament to India’s robust talent pool and technological prowess, but also signals a paradigm shift in how global enterprises are leveraging Indian expertise for innovation, digital transformation, and operational excellence.

For professional services companies, the rapid expansion of GCCs in India presents an unprecedented opportunity to provide value-added solutions, from strategy and setup to talent acquisition and digital transformation. In this article, we analyze the drivers behind this growth, reference the latest research, and explore how leading talent advisory firms like Han Digital are enabling organizations to unlock the full potential of India’s GCC landscape.

What Are Global Capability Centres (GCCs)?

Global Capability Centres, previously known as Global In-house Centres (GICs), are offshore units established by multinational corporations to deliver a wide array of services such as IT, engineering, finance, analytics, R&D, and digital transformation. India has emerged as the preferred destination for GCCs due to its vast talent pool, cost advantages, mature infrastructure, and thriving innovation ecosystem.

• Over 1,580 GCCs currently operate in India, according to NASSCOM’s 2024 report.
• These centres employ over 1.66 million professionals across major cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Gurugram.
• GCCs in India contribute nearly $46 billion to the nation’s exports annually (NASSCOM, 2024).

India’s GCC Growth: Key Highlights from Jan–June 2024

The DD News report highlights that India’s GCC sector grew by an impressive 30.8% in the first half of 2024. This growth is driven by several factors:

1. Accelerated Digital Transformation: Enterprises are investing in digital capabilities, automation, and AI-driven solutions, using India as the innovation hub.
2. Expansion into New Verticals: GCCs are moving beyond traditional IT and BPO to include R&D, analytics, cybersecurity, and product engineering.
3. Favorable Policy Environment: Government initiatives like Digital India, Startup India, and incentives for R&D are attracting more global players.
4. Cost and Talent Advantages: India’s high-quality, cost-effective talent pool remains unmatched globally.

According to a NASSCOM 2024 report, India is expected to host over 2,000 GCCs by 2026, with continued double-digit growth rates.

Recent Research: GCCs as Engines of Innovation and Digital Transformation

Recent studies underscore the evolving role of GCCs as strategic partners driving enterprise-wide innovation. According to the EY GCC Pulse Survey 2024:

• Over 70% of GCCs in India are now directly involved in core business transformation initiatives.
• More than 60% are leading digital innovation, AI, and analytics projects for their parent organizations.
• GCCs are increasingly collaborating with Indian startups and academia to accelerate R&D and product development.

The Deloitte GCC Trends 2024 report further highlights that India’s GCCs are moving up the value chain, with a focus on leadership roles, product ownership, and end-to-end delivery.

Why Professional Services Companies Should Pay Attention

The explosive growth of GCCs in India is creating a massive demand for professional services, including:

• Strategic Consulting: Market entry, location strategy, and business model design for new GCCs.
• Talent Acquisition & Leadership Hiring: Identifying and onboarding top talent, including senior leadership and niche digital skills.
• Digital Transformation: Implementing advanced technologies, automation, and cloud solutions.
• Compliance & Risk Advisory: Navigating regulatory, tax, and data privacy frameworks.
• Change Management: Driving cultural integration and organizational transformation.

As GCCs evolve into value creators and innovation hubs, the need for specialized advisory and talent solutions is greater than ever. Professional services firms that understand the unique dynamics of the Indian GCC ecosystem are best positioned to capitalize on this opportunity.

Han Digital: Your Strategic Partner in GCC Talent and Leadership

Han Digital stands out as a leading talent advisory firm with a deep understanding of India’s GCC landscape. Here’s why Han Digital is uniquely positioned to support professional services companies and global enterprises in their GCC journey:

• Unmatched Talent Insights: Han Digital leverages proprietary talent intelligence platforms and real-time market data to map skill availability, compensation trends, and talent hotspots across India’s major GCC cities.
• Strong Leadership Networks: With established connections to senior leadership across IT, engineering, analytics, and R&D, Han Digital facilitates executive search and leadership hiring for new and expanding GCCs.
• End-to-End Talent Solutions: From workforce planning and diversity hiring to employer branding and onboarding, Han Digital offers a full spectrum of talent acquisition and advisory services tailored for the GCC sector.
• Proven Track Record: Han Digital has successfully partnered with Fortune 500 companies, global professional services firms, and high-growth startups to set up and scale GCCs in India.

By combining data-driven insights with deep industry relationships, Han Digital empowers organizations to build high-performing GCC teams, accelerate digital transformation, and achieve sustainable growth.

Key Trends Shaping GCCs in 2024 and Beyond

As we look ahead, several trends are set to define the next phase of GCC growth in India:

1. AI and Automation: GCCs are rapidly adopting AI, machine learning, and automation to drive efficiency, innovation, and customer experience.
2. Hybrid Work Models: Flexible work arrangements, digital collaboration tools, and distributed teams are becoming the norm.
3. Focus on ESG and Diversity: GCCs are prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, as well as diversity and inclusion in hiring.
4. Leadership Development: There is a growing emphasis on nurturing local leadership and succession planning for critical roles.
5. Collaboration with Startups: GCCs are partnering with Indian startups and innovation hubs to accelerate product development and digital transformation.

According to NASSCOM’s 2024 research, GCCs in India will continue to evolve as “Global Value Centres,” playing a pivotal role in enterprise strategy, innovation, and growth.

How to Establish a Successful GCC in India: Best Practices for Professional Services Firms

For professional services companies advising clients on GCC setup and expansion, the following best practices are essential:

• Location Strategy: Evaluate cities based on talent availability, infrastructure, cost, and ecosystem maturity. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai remain top choices, but emerging hubs like Noida and Coimbatore are gaining traction.
• Talent Mapping: Leverage talent intelligence to identify skill clusters, compensation benchmarks, and competitive dynamics.
• Leadership Hiring: Prioritize hiring experienced leaders with a track record in digital transformation, product development, and cross-cultural management.
• Agile Operating Models: Design flexible, scalable structures that support rapid innovation and collaboration.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure adherence to local regulations, data privacy, and IP protection.
• Culture and Change Management: Foster a culture of innovation, diversity, and continuous learning.

Han Digital’s expertise in talent mapping, leadership hiring, and market intelligence makes it an ideal partner for professional services firms and global enterprises looking to establish or expand GCCs in India.

Case Study: Han Digital’s Impact on GCC Talent Strategy

Case Example: In 2024, a leading global professional services firm partnered with Han Digital to establish a new GCC in Hyderabad focused on AI and analytics. Han Digital’s team:

• Conducted a comprehensive talent market analysis across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune.
• Identified and hired senior leaders with experience in AI, machine learning, and data engineering.
• Developed a talent acquisition strategy to attract top digital talent, including employer branding and campus hiring initiatives.
• Advised on compensation, diversity hiring, and onboarding best practices.

The result: The GCC achieved full operational capability within six months, with a high-performing team driving innovation for global clients.

Conclusion: The Future of GCCs in India and the Role of Professional Services

The 30.8% growth of Global Capability Centres in India during the first half of 2024 is a clear signal of the country’s strategic importance in the global digital economy. For professional services companies, this boom represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver high-impact solutions across strategy, talent, technology, and transformation.

As GCCs continue to evolve into global innovation hubs, the demand for specialized talent, leadership, and advisory services will only intensify. Han Digital, with its unique understanding of the Indian talent market and strong industry connections, is the partner of choice for organizations seeking to establish, scale, and lead in the GCC space.

Ready to unlock the full potential of India’s GCC ecosystem? Contact Han Digital today to discover how we can help you build, scale, and lead world-class Global Capability Centres in India.

References

• DD News: