India's Global Capability Center (GCC) landscape is set to welcome three more global companies, further solidifying the country's position as a strategic hub for innovation and technology. This expansion highlights a continuing shift in how international organizations view India – not simply as a cost-effective destination, but as a strategic partner driving transformation and innovation. By the end of 2026, India is projected to host over 2,000 GCCs, employing an estimated 2.5 million people.

The establishment of new GCCs in India highlights a significant change in how global organizations perceive the country, now viewing it as a strategic innovation partner rather than just a cost-efficient location. Several global companies have already established GCCs in India, reinforcing the country's role as a hub for global operations and innovation. These centers are increasingly involved in advanced functions like AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and enterprise technology.

Several factors contribute to India's attractiveness as a GCC destination. The country boasts a vast and diverse talent pool, particularly in technology and engineering, attracting investments from major companies. Cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Delhi NCR and Mumbai have emerged as specialized ecosystems, catering to different industry needs. Bengaluru, often called the "Silicon Valley of India", dominates in software development, product engineering, and FinTech. Hyderabad is strong in aerospace, pharma R&D, and cloud infrastructure, while Chennai is noted for manufacturing and financial services. Pune has become a hub for engineering and automotive technologies, and Mumbai attracts financial services, analytics, and corporate leadership functions.

Beyond cost advantages, GCCs in India are now centers of excellence, handling end-to-end product ownership, advanced R&D, and enterprise platforms. This evolution signifies a move from cost arbitrage to capability arbitrage, with GCCs influencing critical business outcomes across industries. The fiscal impact of the GCC sector on India’s economy is substantial, contributing approximately $68 billion as of early 2026, which is about 1.8% of the national GDP. Projections estimate this contribution could reach between $154 billion and $199 billion by 2030.

Examples of companies establishing or expanding GCCs in India include:

• eBay: Following its initial GCC setup in India in 2025, eBay is expanding its focus in 2026 to include AI-driven personalization and fraud detection.
• Citizens Financial Group: This American bank is building a major GCC in Hyderabad with the aim of hiring 1,000 employees by April 2026.
• Daikin Industries: Partnering with EY, Daikin is establishing an innovation and services hub in Gurugram, which will evolve into a full-fledged GCC by 2026, focusing on engineering simulation, IoT connectivity, and digital manufacturing.
• OpenAI: Plans to open an office in New Delhi to support AI research and partnerships.
• Sonatype: A U.S. AI-driven cybersecurity firm, opened a GCC in Hyderabad, strengthening India's cybersecurity ecosystem.

The growth of GCCs is also driving demand in the commercial real estate sector, with GCCs accounting for 44% of total commercial office leasing in India in 2024. They are expected to add 180 million square feet of office space across major hubs and emerging Tier-2 cities by 2030. This expansion is a direct result of the creation of high-value roles in fields like GenAI, cybersecurity, and automation. As GCCs in India continue to evolve, they are becoming global command centers, running entire portfolios of engineering, cybersecurity, and product management from India.