Employment by GCCs in India expected to go up to 2.8 million by 2030: Nirmala Sitharaman

By | July 15, 2025
GCC employment in India 2030 – growth forecast chart and professionals in IT center

India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are experiencing rapid growth. At the CII-GCC Business Summit 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that GCC employment will rise to 2.8 million by 2030, up from the current 2.16 million. This reflects India’s increasing role in global business operations and innovation.

What Are GCCs?

GCCs are offshore units set up by multinational companies. They handle functions such as IT, finance, R&D, analytics, and customer service. Initially, these centres served cost-saving purposes. Today, however, they act as innovation and strategy hubs.

India is home to more than 1,580 GCCs, many of which serve Fortune 500 firms. These include leaders in banking, healthcare, automotive, and software. India’s talent pool, along with its cost-effectiveness, makes it a top choice for such operations.

Why Employment Is Growing Fast

Sitharaman shared that India’s GCC workforce is expanding at a yearly rate of nearly 11%. This growth is fueled by several strong trends:

1. R&D Expansion

Many GCCs are moving beyond traditional roles. They now focus on areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and product engineering. As a result, job opportunities are growing for AI experts, data scientists, and design engineers.

2. Rise in Global Roles

Currently, India hosts about 6,500 global leadership roles within GCCs. By 2030, this number is expected to hit 30,000. This indicates that companies trust Indian talent with strategic decision-making responsibilities.

3. Policy Push

The Indian government is actively supporting the sector. States like Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh offer incentives for setting up GCCs. These include tax benefits, quick approvals, and infrastructure support.

4. Tier-II and Tier-III City Expansion

GCCs are no longer confined to major metros like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. They are expanding into cities like Lucknow, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, and Coimbatore. This shift is creating job opportunities in smaller towns and boosting regional growth.

5. One GCC Every Week

Sitharaman noted that India saw the launch of almost one new GCC every week in the past year. This highlights the strong momentum behind the sector.

Beyond Jobs: Economic Impact

GCCs don’t just create jobs. They also contribute significantly to India’s economy. Currently, they add around $68 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA), which equals about 1.6% of the GDP. By 2030, this number could rise to $150–200 billion.

Moreover, the sector supports industries like real estate, education, transport, and hospitality. It also encourages local talent to upskill and join the global workforce.

Challenges on the Horizon

Despite the optimism, several challenges could slow growth. First, there is a growing demand for niche talent in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. However, the supply of trained professionals is not always sufficient.

Second, Tier-II and Tier-III cities often lack high-quality infrastructure. These regions need better internet connectivity, power supply, and office spaces. Without these improvements, growth may become uneven.

Third, talent retention remains a concern. Employees frequently switch companies for better pay or perks. GCCs must work harder to offer long-term career paths and a better work culture.

Government and Industry Collaboration

The government is working with industry bodies to solve these issues. For example, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and NASSCOM are helping train youth for GCC jobs. States are offering incentives to attract companies to emerging cities.

The Centre is also focusing on digital infrastructure, which is crucial for modern service sectors. With better internet access and tech parks, smaller cities can soon become global hubs too.

Conclusion: A Strategic Shift in India’s Role

India is quickly transforming from a cost-saving location to a strategic innovation hub. GCCs are at the heart of this transformation. The projected rise to 2.8 million jobs by 2030 underlines India’s strong global positioning.

With the right policies, skilled workforce, and infrastructure, India can lead the world in enterprise innovation. As more leadership and R&D functions move here, the next five years may redefine India’s global business status.