GCCs to Hire Up to 1.4 Lakh Professionals This Year

India’s Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are poised for an explosive year of growth, with industry projections indicating the addition of 1.2 to 1.4 lakh new professionals to their payrolls in 2026.

This surge marks a significant shift as multinational corporations increasingly move beyond back-office functions to establish high-value “centers of excellence” in Indian tech hubs.

GCCs Strategic Shift to High-Value Engineering

The recruitment drive is being fueled by a fundamental change in how GCCs operate.

Once viewed primarily as cost-saving centers for administrative tasks, Indian GCCs are now the primary engines for global digital transformation.

The demand is highest in specialized fields such as Generative AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and cloud architecture.

Major global players in the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance), retail, and healthcare sectors are leading the charge, looking to tap into India’s vast pool of STEM talent to build proprietary technology stacks.

GCCs Focus on Tier-2 Cities and Diversity

A notable trend for 2026 is the geographic diversification of these centers.

While Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune remain the primary beneficiaries, there is a visible shift toward Tier-2 cities like Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, and Lucknow.

This “hub-and-spoke” model allows GCCs to access untapped talent pools and reduce operational costs.

Additionally, the industry is placing a heavy emphasis on diversity and inclusion, with many centers aiming to increase female representation in core engineering roles to 35-40% during this hiring cycle.

The War for Niche Talent

Despite the massive headcount goals, the industry faces a challenge in sourcing “niche” talent.

The demand for professionals with 5-10 years of experience in emerging technologies currently far outstrips supply, leading to projected salary hikes of 15-20% for specialized roles.

To combat this, many GCCs are investing heavily in “hire-and-train” models and university partnerships to build a sustainable pipeline of future-ready workers.

Economic Impact and Future Outlook

With over 1,600 GCCs already operating in India, the sector now contributes significantly to the country’s GDP and services exports.

Analysts suggest that if the current momentum continues, the total Indian GCC workforce could surpass 2 million by 2030, firmly establishing India as the “world’s technology boardroom.”

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