Beyond metros: Talent transformation in emerging growth centres

As India’s business landscape continues to evolve, a notable shift is underway: the spotlight is moving beyond traditional metropolitan strongholds like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore to emerging cities like Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. These cities are no longer merely cost-effective back offices or secondary support centres—they are becoming vibrant ecosystems of innovation, entrepreneurship and skilled talent.

This decentralisation is reshaping talent strategies across industries, challenging HR leaders to rethink how they attract, retain and develop workforce capabilities in these high-potential zones. The transformation also signals a broader realignment of corporate priorities, where growth is being mapped to emerging markets and diverse talent pools rather than being anchored solely in metro-centric frameworks.

The rise of emerging talent hubs

For decades, India’s economic growth was largely concentrated in metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi NCR. However, rising infrastructure costs, congestion, and talent saturation in these cities have prompted companies to explore alternative locations for expansion. Cities like Pune, Chennai and Hyderabad now boast thriving IT corridors, manufacturing clusters, and startup ecosystems that rival the metros in ambition and output.

HR leaders attending the People Matters SurgeHR conferences in these cities have consistently highlighted the evolving nature of talent in these regions. Local educational institutions, increasing urban infrastructure, and a growing appetite among youth to work in their hometowns have created fertile ground for companies to tap into untapped potential.

In Pune, for instance, the fusion of technical institutes and a growing base of R&D centres has created a pipeline of engineering and analytics talent. Chennai is strengthening its hold as a key manufacturing and digital services hub, while Hyderabad continues to attract global tech firms due to its robust infrastructure and cosmopolitan culture.

With booming industries and world-class institutions, Pune, Chennai and Ahmedabad—beyond their rich traditions—are shaping India's talent landscape.

Decentralised talent strategies: A new HR imperative

With the growing relevance of Tier-2 and emerging Tier-1 cities, HR’s mandate has evolved from simply managing headcount to actively driving business growth through localised strategies. This includes:

• Tailoring Employer Value Propositions (EVPs): Companies are learning that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work across geographies. Employees in Ahmedabad or Coimbatore may prioritise job stability, family proximity, or community engagement more than their counterparts in metros. HR teams are reengineering EVPs to resonate with regional aspirations while maintaining alignment with overall brand identity.
• Developing Local Leadership Pipelines: One key focus has been nurturing homegrown leadership. Hiring mid-level managers and grooming them for strategic roles ensures continuity and relevance, and it reduces dependence on talent relocation from headquarters.
• Leveraging Local Insights for Employee Experience: Understanding cultural nuances—such as language preferences, local festivals, or work-life expectations—has become essential. Organisations are building people practices that reflect regional values while aligning with corporate goals.
• Investing in Skilling and Reskilling: The rise of digital and AI-driven processes requires constant upskilling. In these growth centres, HR is partnering with local institutes, edtech platforms, and industry bodies to create contextual learning ecosystems that prepare talent for tomorrow’s jobs 

Digital as the equaliser

One of the most significant enablers of this decentralisation has been the increasing integration of HR technology and analytics. At the Ahmedabad edition of SurgeHR, sessions highlight how AI and predictive analytics are helping HR teams optimise workforce planning, even in less-centralised locations.

These tools empower decision-makers with data-driven insights about employee engagement, attrition risks, and skill gaps—enabling them to make proactive, region-specific interventions. By embedding digital thinking into every HR process, companies can offer consistent employee experiences across locations, maintain transparency and scale efficiently.

The role of CHROs in local growth narratives

The modern CHRO is no longer confined to overseeing policies and compliance. They are now architects of organisational culture and stewards of sustainable growth. In emerging talent hubs, this means playing a key role in shaping business strategy through workforce innovation.

People Matters flagship roadshow series SurgeHR is travelling across India’s growing cities. With Ahmedabad being its third stop after Pune & Chennai on the theme “The Seismic Shift: Growing cities leading India’s next talent frontier” exploring the change and opportunities in these new hubs of innovation and excellence. People Matters SurgeHR 2025 was designed to accelerate this seismic shift, spotlighting new opportunities where businesses and talent intersect.

At the People Matters SurgeHR roadshow across cities, CHROs from leading organisations have shared how they are aligning HR functions with long-term business goals—such as entering new markets, navigating demographic shifts, and building resilience amid volatility. They’re fostering high-performance cultures not just in boardrooms but in factories, field offices, and regional headquarters.

Moreover, CHROs are championing diversity by recognising the unique strengths and perspectives that local talent brings. This is leading to more inclusive leadership teams and business strategies that reflect the complexity of the markets they serve.

A talent revolution rooted in local realities

India’s growth story is increasingly being written outside its metro cities. The rise of talent in emerging centres is not merely a logistical shift—it’s a strategic evolution that demands a reimagining of HR’s role. By building agile, locally attuned, and digitally empowered people strategies, HR leaders are driving value far beyond headcount metrics.

As this trend accelerates, the most successful organisations will be those that treat decentralisation not as a necessity, but as an opportunity—to innovate, diversify, and embed their cultures more deeply in the communities they serve.

The future of work in India isn’t just being built in glass towers in urban centres—it’s being co-created across industrial corridors, educational campuses, and digital networks in places like Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, and beyond. And at the heart of this transformation is HR: agile, strategic, and profoundly local.

TechHR India: Where India’s new talent frontier takes centre stage

This transformation—powered by local insights, digital acceleration, and bold HR leadership—finds its momentum and voice at People Matters TechHR India 2025. As the country’s most influential platform for shaping the future of work, TechHR India 2025 is where the decentralised talent revolution comes into focus. It’s not just a conference; it’s a convergence point for CHROs, innovators, and business leaders from across India’s emerging cities, coming together to share, challenge, and co-create what’s next. Here, the experiences from Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad don’t remain regional success stories—they become national playbooks. TechHR India is where the seismic shifts of India’s talent landscape are not just discussed, but transformed into strategy, scale, and sustained impact.