48% of India’s GCCs set to expand workforce amid market evolution: Taggd GCC Report

The talent equation: Growth meets churn

GCC hiring in India has remained robust, with total employment projected to reach 2.8–4 million by 2030 depending on the pace of expansion and talent supply. But attrition is emerging as a critical hurdle.

“Talent is the edge every future-proof organisation requires. Success now depends on ecosystems that are agile and aligned to purpose,” said Sarita Fernandes, Senior Director – HR & L&D Transformation, Capgemini.

Companies are also rethinking how to tap India’s wider talent pool. While 60% of GCCs continue to hire only from Tier-1 hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune, nearly one-third are adopting a mixed Tier-1 and Tier-2 approach, with 13% exploring smaller cities exclusively. “We are exploring a GCC setup in Visakhapatnam to strengthen capabilities while tapping into new talent clusters,” said Hemant Nikam, Sr. Director & Head of HR, Eisai Pharmaceuticals India.

Yet capability gaps remain outside metros. “High-calibre GCC talent in Tier-2 cities is still a hurdle, particularly in depth of expertise compared to metros,” noted Gaurav Bhalla, Head – Global HR Shared Services, Sodexo.

Real estate: From cost centre to culture driver

India’s GCC footprint is also reshaping office demand. According to the report, GCCs leased a record 28 million sq. ft. of Grade A commercial space in 2024, accounting for more than one-third of total absorption.

With 78% of new roles now designed for hybrid work, flexible workspaces have become the second-largest occupier segment. Workplaces are no longer just about efficiency, they are increasingly magnets for collaboration, well-being and culture. Developers are responding by expanding into peripheral growth nodes with strong connectivity, enabling GCCs to decentralise operations while staying close to deep talent pools.

The future of work: AI, DEI and Gen Z

The workplace is being reshaped not only by where people work, but by how they are hired and what they value.

AI is emerging as a recruitment tool, that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast emerging as a recruitment tool, with 48% of GCCs planning to adopt AI-based hiring solutions and 24% having already deployed them. Leaders, however, are adopting a cautious approach, balancing the drive for efficiency with concerns over bias and candidate experience. “As AI adoption gains momentum, hiring managers are navigating the shift with close recruiter collaboration,” said Chitra Kalmady, Director – Culture, Diversity & Sustainability, NTT DATA.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are also moving beyond compliance to become cultural imperatives. “Every hiring decision begins with intention; we ensure each role considers a diverse slate,” said Vandana Kumari, Lead – Talent Acquisition, Solenis. The report also stated that expansion into smaller cities is also widening access to underrepresented groups, reinforcing DEI as a strategic lever. 

And then there is Gen Z, the cohort redefining workplace expectations. The report also revealed how average tenure expectations have decreased significantly, with Gen Z professionals preferring not to remain in the same role for more than 18-24 months because of reasons such as limited career advancement and role stagnation. To counteract this, internal mobility has emerged as a core lever. Nearly 9 in 10 GCCs expect up to 50% of their hiring in FY26, signaling a growing shift toward building from within.

The road ahead: From growth to leadership

The Taggd–CII–JLL report positions India as the undisputed hub for GCC expansion but warns that sustaining leadership will require sharper execution.

“India’s GCC story is at an inflection point. For leaders building or scaling centres here, success will require going beyond global playbooks and embracing a uniquely India-first approach,” said Devashish Sharma, CEO, Taggd.

Attrition management, career mobility, capability-building in Tier-2 cities, responsible use of AI, and workplaces that foster belonging will all be decisive. The real test will be whether India’s GCCs can convert today’s expansion into long-term global leadership.