New Delhi, August 2026: India’s Global Capability Center (GCC) ecosystem is experiencing strong growth in 2026, as multinational companies increasingly use their India operations for artificial intelligence, product engineering, research and development, data, cybersecurity, and other high-value functions.
According to the latest Zinnov-Nasscom GCC Landscape 2026, India had 2,117 GCCs operating across 3,728 units as of FY2026, employing approximately 2.36 million professionals and generating an estimated $98.4 billion in market revenue. The number of GCCs has increased by 32% since FY2021.
GCCs Shift From Support Centers to Strategic Hubs
The latest growth is not simply about the number of new centers being established. The role of Global Capability Centers in India is also changing.
Many companies are moving beyond traditional back-office and support operations and giving their Indian centers greater responsibility for global products, platforms, technology strategy, and innovation.
Industry reports describe this transition as a move from traditional delivery engines toward enterprise nerve centers, with India-based teams increasingly taking ownership of important global functions.
Artificial Intelligence Drives GCC Expansion
Artificial Intelligence has become one of the biggest factors shaping India’s GCC market in 2026.
The Zinnov-Nasscom report states that nearly half of GCCs established since FY2021 had AI as a core focus from inception. More than 1,200 GCCs are also embedding AI and machine-learning capabilities across products, platforms, and infrastructure.
This is increasing demand for specialized professionals in areas such as:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Data Science
- Cloud Computing
- Cybersecurity
- Software Engineering
- Product Development
- Data Engineering
The growth of AI is also changing hiring patterns, with GCCs increasingly seeking experienced professionals with specialized and hybrid technology-business skills.
Major Indian Cities Continue to Attract GCC Investment
Bengaluru continues to be India’s leading GCC market, while Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai and other technology hubs are also attracting significant investment.
During the first half of 2026, GCCs leased approximately 16.5 million square feet of office space in India, representing nearly 38% year-on-year growth. Bengaluru remained the largest market, while Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi NCR and Mumbai together accounted for nearly 80% of GCC office leasing during the period.
Hyderabad Strengthens Its GCC Position
Hyderabad is also seeing continued expansion in the GCC ecosystem.
A recent example is Charles Schwab’s Hyderabad GCC. The company plans to expand its India workforce to approximately 2,000 employees by the end of 2027, with the center supporting technology development, engineering and operational functions.
The development highlights Hyderabad’s growing importance for companies looking for specialized technology and engineering talent.
New GCCs Continue to Enter India
The expansion is not limited to companies that already have a large Indian presence.
In August 2026, Abercrombie & Fitch opened a new GCC in Bengaluru to strengthen enterprise capabilities and support its global growth strategy. The center is expected to bring together talent across multiple business functions and deepen specialized expertise.
Such investments demonstrate how multinational companies are increasingly treating India as a strategic capability destination rather than simply a cost-optimization location.
Demand for Specialized Talent Is Increasing
The changing GCC model is also creating new opportunities for India’s technology workforce.
Companies are increasingly looking for professionals who can combine technical expertise with business understanding. Mid-career professionals and specialists in AI, cloud, cybersecurity, data, engineering, and enterprise technology are becoming particularly important as GCCs take on more complex global responsibilities.
India’s GCC Growth Outlook
India’s GCC sector is expected to remain an important part of the country’s technology and services economy. The combination of skilled talent, expanding AI capabilities, established technology ecosystems and growing global investment is supporting the continued development of Global Capability Centers in India.
The biggest change in 2026 is the shift in purpose: GCCs are increasingly moving from executing work for global headquarters to owning products, platforms, innovation programs and strategic business capabilities.
As this transformation continues, India is positioned to play an even larger role in the global technology and enterprise ecosystem.
Conclusion:
The strong growth of Global Capability Centers in India in 2026 reflects a broader transformation in how multinational companies use their Indian operations. With more than 2,100 GCCs, nearly 2.36 million professionals and close to $100 billion in estimated market revenue, India’s GCC ecosystem is becoming a major engine for global innovation, AI adoption and enterprise transformation.