India is rapidly becoming a global center for life sciences Global Capability Centers (GCCs), with 23 of the world’s top 50 pharmaceutical and biotech companies establishing operations in the country—most within the last five years.
According to EY India’s latest report, this surge reflects a strategic shift in how global firms view India—not just as a cost-efficient support base, but as a key driver of innovation, research, and enterprise-wide transformation.
The expansion of life sciences GCCs is creating a wide range of job opportunities across both core scientific domains and enabling business functions.
From drug discovery and regulatory affairs to finance and IT, these centers are reshaping India’s employment landscape in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
From Back Office to Innovation Engine Roles at GCCs
Historically, GCCs in India were limited to transactional support roles.
However, the EY report highlights a sharp evolution: life sciences GCCs now co-own global mandates and pipelines, functioning as “HQ twins” that contribute directly to strategic outcomes.
Key areas of growth include:
- Drug Discovery & Development: 45% of global life sciences firms now rely on their India GCCs for early-stage research and pipeline acceleration.
- Regulatory Affairs: 60% penetration, with Indian teams managing filings, compliance, and global regulatory coordination.
- Medical Affairs & Commercial Operations: 54% and 50% penetration respectively, indicating deep involvement in clinical strategy and market execution.
These roles demand advanced scientific expertise, data analytics capabilities, and cross-functional collaboration—creating demand for professionals with backgrounds in biotechnology, pharmacology, biostatistics, and digital health.
Enabling Functions See Strong Uptake
Beyond core scientific roles, life sciences GCCs are also absorbing a significant share of enabling functions:
- Finance: 70% of global finance operations are now managed from India.
- Human Resources: 75% penetration, including talent acquisition, learning and development, and HR analytics.
- Supply Chain & IT: 62% and 67% respectively, with Indian teams handling logistics optimization, ERP systems, and digital infrastructure.
These functions offer opportunities for professionals in business administration, data science, operations, and enterprise technology.
The integration of AI and automation tools is further expanding the scope of roles, especially in areas like pharmacovigilance, real-world evidence (RWE) analytics, and digital therapeutics.
Cities Leading the GCCs Expansion
Bengaluru remains the top destination for life sciences GCCs, followed by Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai.
These cities offer a combination of skilled talent, academic partnerships, and mature infrastructure.
The presence of leading research institutions and biotech parks has also contributed to their attractiveness.
Job seekers can expect openings in:
- Clinical trial operations
- Regulatory documentation and analytics
- Digital health product management
- AI-driven drug modeling
- HR and finance shared services
Implications for Talent and Policy
The rise of life sciences GCCs aligns with India’s broader skilling and employment goals.
It supports high-value job creation, encourages STEM education, and strengthens India’s position in global healthcare innovation.
Policymakers may need to further streamline regulatory frameworks and incentivize R&D partnerships to sustain this momentum.
Arindam Sen, GCC Sector Lead at EY India, noted, “India has evolved from a support base to the very center of innovation for global pharma and healthcare.”
He added, “The depth and breadth of roles now available reflect that transformation”.
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