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      As enterprises reconfigure their global operating models, India is emerging as a preferred destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) , supported by deep talent pools, digital capability and a strong ecosystem of academia, startups and industry clusters. The focus is shifting from scale to impact, ownership and value creation, positioning GCCs as core enablers of enterprise transformation.

      This transformation is being driven by the convergence of AI, digital platforms and global integration, alongside the emergence of newer growth hubs. GCCs are increasingly taking ownership of end-to-end workflows across R&D, product engineering, data platforms and digital operations, delivering measurable outcomes across business functions and accelerating innovation at scale. At the same time, organisations are strengthening governance and compliance frameworks, particularly around data privacy and cross-border operations, to support sustainable and secure growth.

      business

      Shift to value-led global delivery

      From cost centres to strategic, enterprise-critical capability hubs

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      AI and digital-driven transformation

      Embedding AI and data platforms to enable innovation and scale

      security

      Expansion beyond traditional hubs

      Growth of new GCC locations supported by talent and infrastructure

      GCCs are becoming increasingly central to enterprise-wide transformation and innovation, taking on higher-value mandates and driving business outcomes across global organisations.

      • End-to-end ownership of global processes

        Driving R&D, clinical, product and data-led initiatives at scale

      • AI-enabled operating models

        Moving from execution support to intelligent, autonomous systems

      • Regulatory and data governance focus

        Strengthening privacy, compliance and cross-border frameworks

      • Ecosystem-led innovation and partnerships

        Collaborating across industry, academia and startups

      • Sector-led expansion of GCC models

        Driving transformation across healthcare, energy, sports and media

      Latest insights

      Pune has naturally developed into a centre for advanced engineering research and development, product creation, and innovation-driven GCCs
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      Explore how India‑based healthcare and life sciences GCCs are driving innovation and measurable patient impact
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      GCC shifts from execution to intelligence, with AI handling routine work while humans own judgment and governance
      Read more

      DPDP Act 2023, through the 2025 Rules, defines a techno‑legal, enforceable framework for GCCs to safeguard digital personal data
      Read more

      Helping your organisation with compliance, transparency, and robust governance to strengthen resilience and investor trust

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      Driving growth with GCC trends

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      India’s GCC opportunity will be shaped by the strength of its talent ecosystem. What is encouraging is the momentum already being created through initiatives across government, academia and industry. The focus now should be on bringing these efforts together in a coordinated manner to build future-ready talent at scale. With a strong foundation already in place, the outlook for India’s GCC sector remains highly promising.

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      In the past 18 months, leading IT firms have rapidly institutionalised GCC and GVIC units, accelerating focus on this opportunity. What began as a hedge against revenue shift is now a scale play. By transforming offshore centres into BOT driven GCCs, firms are unlocking capacity, capability, and long-term growth.

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      As India’s Global Capability Centre story enters its most consequential chapter, Pune is emerging as a compelling destination for organisations looking to establish and scale future-ready capability centres.

      With its strong ecosystem spanning talent, infrastructure, and innovation, Pune offers a unique opportunity to go beyond execution and build centres that deliver enterprise-wide value and transformation for global organisations.

      Akhilesh Tuteja
      Akhilesh Tuteja

      Partner & National Leader, Clients and Markets

      KPMG in India

      India’s opportunity for globally experienced talent extends far beyond GCCs, spanning SaaS, semiconductors, fintech, logistics tech, auto tech, manufacturing and new energy. Demand is strong at the top and entry levels, with tighter mid tier depth. Compensation gaps with the US are narrowing, but ownership, innovation and India first global impact are the real draws.

      Returnee talent is accelerating product thinking, global go-to-market and frontier AI. GCCs can anchor high skill roles when mandates include true product ownership. To scale this momentum, India will benefit from ESOP clarity, founder fast tracks, relocation support and sustained R&D funding.

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      It is not without reason that GCC site as a strong pillar of our Viksit Bharat agenda and is very strong economic driver of our nation. Amidst the global headwinds we see today, in India the GCC model continues to offer a very promising answer to what global enterprises are grappling with. The model presents efficiency benefits, and now with AI being a very disruptive force, how do you actually enable product development, research, core processes from GCCs is where the theme is.

      The next wave of GCC growth is no longer just back office, but increasingly about core business processes and unlocking enterprise value at a very different leve

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      GCCs and innovation hubs have become central to how healthcare and life sciences organisations evolve.They are reinforcing data architecture, connecting technology across operations, and building future ready capabilities. With strong links to broader ecosystems, they are helping accelerate research and innovation at scale.

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      India is a good solution for many global organisations, especially those struggling to grow, or have profitability concerns. Global enterprises are moving to modernise their tech stack, build clean and well-managed data to create AI solutions. build platforms that will straddle across the value chain. India can do all of that. Many more players will come in. But going forward, with AI, the model may be different. They will not need armies of people.

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      Race to the top for GCCs is the opportunity that AI presents in terms of driving some very core innovation, something really transformative and making an impact...like on drug discovery, crunching product life cycles, what you take to market, developing new platforms and tools that will enable you to open your market to new customers or impact customer experience in a bigger way.

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      GCCs today are deeply embedded in core product development, while also playing a critical role in regulatory frameworks and safety protocols.

      The extent of influence a GCC commands depends on multiple factors such as scope, leadership sponsorship, maturity, and the level of empowerment granted. When these elements come together, GCCs move beyond execution and earn the right to architect, influence, and direct business priorities.

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      The treaty strengthens confidence for EU organisations to expand mandates and decision rights into India. Today GCCs are viewed as strategic extensions of the enterprise, as was evident from the real time examples quoted by the various GCC leaders participating. Besides the global vision and mandate to leverage the GCC, the capabilities established and leadership maturity within GCCs is now a critical factor in how quickly they scale and diversify mandates.

      Supreet Sachdev
      Supreet Sachdev

      Office Managing Partner, Bengaluru

      KPMG in India

      The India–EU agreement creates one of the most compelling corridors for global capability expansion today. India’s value proposition goes well beyond cost, anchored in talent, scale, and leadership capability.

      Abhishek Kishore Gupta
      Abhishek Kishore Gupta

      Partner, National Sector Lead TMT IM&A GCC

      KPMG in India

      For decades, the US–India corridor was the heartbeat of the GCC world. In 2026, that pulse is shifting. While the US continues to represent the foundational base, the EU–India corridor is emerging as the global engine for velocity. The January 2026 ‘Mother of All Deals’ (BTIA) has provided the missing institutional bedrock, transforming a relationship built on performance into an alliance grounded in policy and trust. India is no longer just a satellite office. It is evolving into the strategic global interface for European digital sovereignty and AI native innovation.

      Sushant Rabra
      Sushant Rabra

      Partner and Head, Digital Strategy, Solutions and Insights

      KPMG in India

      Organisations are increasingly treating GCCs as their core hubs for cognitive strength. A notable shift is taking place. Earlier, GCCs were largely viewed through the lens of scale. With AI, the benefits do not remain confined to the centre alone. They flow across the organisation and often to the headquarters as well. This is changing how value is created and shared.

      Leading GCCs are already investing deeply in AI platforms and capability areas. If the wider organisation wants to fully tap into the cognitive advantages of AI, the work needs to happen where there is the clearest view of the enterprise. GCCs are emerging as one of the strongest places to drive this.

      Rachit Chhokera

      Partner, DT-Cyber Strategy and Govn
      KPMG in India

      Cross-border data governance is where GCCs face real complexiity. Some of the key friction points that need deeper attention.

      • Global vs local rules:Aligning HQ‑led data policies with country‑specific privacy, retention, and localisation laws
      • Data visibility: Achieving accurate data discovery and lineage across systems to prove compliance end-to-end
      • Third-party risk: Governing vendors and processors operating across borders, with inconsistent controls and oversight.
      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      A GCC delivers strategic value when it shifts from executing defined tasks to shaping enterprise priorities. A GCC del The inflection point comes when the center develops the insight, capability and confidence to influence how the business grows, innovates and allocates attention. GCCs have earned their place in strategic conversations not by asking for it, but by demonstrating that the center can anticipate business needs, innovate and solution to deliver outcomes and advance the organisation’s agenda in a measurable way.

      Sandeep Paidi
      Sandeep Paidi

      Partner, Government & Public Services (G&PS); Lead - Health, Human & Social Services (HHSS) and Office Managing Partner – KPMG in Hyderabad

      KPMG in India

      Hyderabad’s growth story over the past decade reflects a broader shift from outsourcing to innovation, from services to product engineering and from cost advantages to capability leadership through GCCs. The city has evolved into one of India’s most dynamic economic regions successfully combining technology, global investments, innovation, infrastructure and talent. The momentum with strong inflow of greenfield GCCs in the city needs to be maintained and converted into a sustained advantage. What is exciting is that the Hyderabad story is still unfolding with robust plans for infrastructure development, urban planning, innovation and talent development.

      Simar D Singh
      Simar Singh

      Partner, GCC Sector Leader - Financial Services

      KPMG in India

      GCCs are increasingly powering growth through fintech capabilities. Three shifts stood out:

      • First, GCCs are becoming the engineering hubs for global digital platforms - from asset servicing infrastructure to trading and data platforms.
      • Second, they are emerging as AI and advanced analytics engines, enabling firms to scale capabilities in risk, investment insights, and operational intelligence.
      • Third, the depth of fintech and quant talent in India is allowing global firms to move from support models to product ownership and innovation leadership.

      This evolution is significant. Financial institutions are rapidly becoming technology platforms, and GCCs are playing a central role in building that future.

      Nilachal Mishra
      Nilachal Mishra

      Partner and Head, Government & Public Services (G&PS), National Leader - Government and Infrastructure

      KPMG in India

      India has earned its place as the strategic hub for global transformation. GCCs will shape discovery, influence regulatory pathways, and accelerate product innovation, making India indispensable to the future of Life Sciences.

      Kartik Ramakrishnan
      Kartik Ramakrishnan

      Partner - Life Sciences GCC

      KPMG in India

      • Life sciences and healthcare GCCs today are making multiple contributions, from: shaping discovery pipelines, designing medical equipment, owning regulatory initiatives, building digital health platforms, and increasingly co‑owning product and patient outcomes.

        And their impact measured in earlier access to therapies. In safer, faster clinical trials. In resilient supply chains. In better patient experiences and outcomes. This is not a future aspiration - it is happening now.

      • The thriving business ecosystem supporting GCCs plays a proud role in enabling expertise and talent for GCCs in areas like Data Analytics, Taxation, Risk, Regulatory compliance, Technology, Operations support, and even R&D, among others. In addition, startups, Academia, and other platforms enabled by local state governments and private players infuse fresh thinking, talent, and innovation. But what truly sets the GCC ecosystem apart is its collaborative and inclusive nature - GCCs actively encourage newcomers and openly share their experiences. This openness significantly enriches the entire ecosystem in unique and valuable ways.

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      Deepening Techno-Functional Excellence - How U.S. GCCs Are Evolving from Enablement to Innovation

      Techno-functional excellence will define the next chapter of GCC evolution, shifting our role from pure enablement to true innovation. The combination of deep sector expertise with technology as the foundational engine of transformation allows GCCs to anchor their work in core business domains and deliver impact that is both broader in scale and sharper in outcomes. This is how GCCs move from supporting the enterprise to shaping its future.

      Sushant Rabra
      Sushant Rabra

      Partner and Head, Digital Strategy, Solutions and Insights

      KPMG in India

      Forward-looking healthcare organisations are institutionalising digital learning through in-house academies, simulation labs, and collaborations with edtech partners and GCCs. The focus is on ‘learning in flow,’ helping clinicians and administrators gain digital confidence while on the job and seamlessly integrate technology into care workflows. Many organisations are now linking digital competency with career progression, signalling that digital readiness is a core part of healthcare excellence.

      Yezdi Nagporewalla
      Yezdi Nagporewalla

      Chief Executive Officer

      KPMG in India

      From a focused internal dialogue to a global platform for action — ENRich has come a long way. Over 16 years, it has grown in scope, stature, and relevance, becoming a catalyst for conversations that matter. This year’s theme reflects a powerful truth:

      Sustainability is no longer an aspiration – it’s a test of resilience

      As India continues to lead global growth, driven by strong domestic demand and macroeconomic stability, the energy sector stands at a pivotal moment.

      Looking ahead to 2030, the modern energy enterprise will be transformed – with AI at the core and GCCs as the engine of execution. Three priorities will define this transformation:

      • Embed AI across the enterprise – from operations to decision-making
      • Reimagine structures and operating models – with GCCs at the center
      • Elevate culture and ways of working – because transformation is as much about people as it is about technology
      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      • Global Capacity Centres are transcending their transactional origins to become strategic engines of transformation. With advanced AI, integrated digital platforms, and specialised talent, GCCs empower energy companies to innovate at scale and respond swiftly to market shifts. By 2030, GCCs will orchestrate intelligence, efficiency, and resilience across the entire energy value chain 

      • The GCC model will evolve despite geopolitical headwinds. Its future lies in technofunctional capabilities. India’s talent pool remains our greatest strength, but if not reskilled for a changing environment, it could also become our greatest vulnerability 

      Anish De-profile picture
      Anish De

      Global Head for Energy Natural Resources & Chemicals (ENRC)

      KPMG International

      • The energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation. Traditional operating models are no longer sufficient, and customer expectations are evolving rapidly. GCCs are emerging as the nerve centres of energy – enterprises combining AI, analytics, and talent to drive operational excellence and innovation. Organisations that embrace this shift can convert cost into capability and deliver truly customer-centric energy solutions 

      • The energy transition requires greater private sector engagement. For this, incentives are essential—both to attract capital and to align risk-return expectations. Without targeted incentives, private players will remain cautious, and the pace of innovation and deployment will remain constrained

      • The energy transition requires greater private sector engagement. For this, incentives are essential—both to attract capital and to align risk-return expectations. Without targeted incentives, private players will remain cautious, and the pace of innovation and deployment will remain constrained

      • As disruption becomes the norm, the energy enterprise is undergoing a profound transformation. Fossil fuels continue to dominate, but the real shift is happening beneath the surface — where AI and tech are laying the foundation for a new energy architecture.

        GCCs (Global Capability Centers) are emerging as a decisive lever — driving structure, governance, and execution. And India remains the nucleus of GCC innovation, shaping the future of enterprise transformation.

        Some home truths have surfaced in 2025:

        • We are a projects economy - To scale sustainably, we must evolve into a products economy - one that builds for longevity and global relevance.
        • We must move upstream - investing in capital goods, innovation, and research to build strategic depth and resilience.

        The energy enterprise of 2030 will be intelligent, agile, and deeply integrated — powered by AI, governed by GCCs, and shaped by a culture of innovation 

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      The GCC environment in India is super exciting. Global organisations are adopting emerging technologies at a frantic pace. While enterprises go global, and look at the digitalisation agenda, they're keen to build for the future - to build the capabilities out of India. This is a large part of what's driving the next wave of growth for GCCs in India.

      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      Earlier this week at the People Matters GCC Talent Summit 2025 (PMGCC Summit), one had the opportunity to kick off the deliberations on how talent could continue to be at the core of the GCC model and continue to influence its success of the model.

      While we continue to attract new GCCs into the country, gearing up for the future, and readiness to meet this demand might require:

      • A robust pipeline of skilled, high quality digital talent, with a deep appreciation of the business context
      • A strong ability to attract and retain top talent
      • Profiling the future talent pool , two to three years out and working backwards to build that talent pool starting today
      • Embracing agile workforce models, i.e. build-borrow-cocreate, through partnerships within the ecosystem
      • Grooming the leadership layer to support the journey up the GCC value curve, anchoring more global roles from India
      • Keeping a close eye on the cost v/s value lens, delivering high impact outcomes.
      Shalini Pillay
      Shalini Pillay

      India Leader - Global Capability Centres

      KPMG in India

      The AMCHAM India GCC Summit 2025, held in our national capital, served as a platform to connect with U.S. headquartered GCCs.

      With the support and focus of the central government on GCCs, towards enabling and fuelling future growth, the conversations were topical and enriching, spanning a range of subjects:

      • GCCs as strategic growth engine: Continuing to work purposefully and collaboratively, cross border to unlock value for the global organisations
      • Future ready GCCs in the context of the dynamic global markets and headwinds
      • New emerging facets of the operating model through partnering with the ecosystem
      • Across the spectrum of GCCs and covering what it will take for the niche and nano GCCs to thrive while the tenured, mature GCCs rewire as they get fit for purpose
      • A reality check on value realisation through embracing Gen AI, albeit cautiously
      • Measuring the real impact of innovation.

      It is these forums that bring the GCC fraternity together to brainstorm and deliberate on what it will take to successfully summit the next growth wave.

      Hear from the experts

      AI’s transformative influence on GCCs business models is characterised by a balance between innovation and efficiency.

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      The webinar goes beyond legal interpretation to focus on practical execution, helping GCC leaders, risk professionals, and privacy teams translate regulatory expectations into scalable, business-aligned operating models. 

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      Digital trust has become a crucial business imperative for GCCs navigating the complexities of cross-border data governance, requiring alignment with global and local regulations, enhanced data visibility, and management of third-party risks.

      Watch on ETGCCWorld

      If wider organisation wants to fully tap into the cognitive advantages of AI, work needs to happen where there is clearest view of the enterprise. GCCs are emerging as one of the strongest places to drive this.

      Watch on ETGCCWorld

      The narrative may be shifting from cost to value, yet cost remains a key reason global enterprises build and scale GCCs in India. GCCs are becoming critical to how large enterprises step into their next phase of growth.

      Watch on ETGCCWorld

      KPMG in India webinar on ‘Union Budget impact on GCCs’ covered safe harbours, IFSC updates and key amendments.

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      Companies are using India’s talent, trust, and innovation to build next-gen energy and tech hubs. Strong capability and scalability make India a preferred base for global operations.

      Watch on The Core

      Shalini Pillay shares her take on how GCCs can evolve into strategic command centres driving innovation and growth in energy enterprises.

      Watch now

      Shalini Pillay shares her views whether India can truly define the future of corporate innovation, in conversation with CNBC-TV18.

      Watch on CNBC TV18

      In conversation with Manu Saale, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India to unravel how R&D, emerging technologies, and GCCs in India are fueling the growth of global auto industry.

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      In conversation with Navin Bishnoi, Head of Marvell Semiconductor India, uncovering deep insights on India's leap from engineering services to semiconductor manufacturing, and the evolution of semiconductor GCCs into global innovation engines.

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      The KPMG in India Webinar discusses India's rising global strategic importance in GCCs and key tax challenges shaping their operations.

      Speaker:

      • Shalini Pillay, Partner and Head, GCC, KPMG in India
      Watch now

      Explore our GCC insights

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