Seven Indian states target 1,380 GCCs and 12 lakh jobs by 2031: CBRE

Seven Indian states have unveiled dedicated policy frameworks to attract Global Capability Centres (GCCs), collectively targeting the establishment of around 1,380 centres and the creation of nearly 12 lakh jobs by 2031, according to a new report by CBRE.

The real estate consultancy's report, The Policy Advantage: Powering India's GCC Growth, highlights how state governments are increasingly competing to attract multinational companies through incentives, faster approvals and long-term infrastructure commitments.

The findings underscore the growing role of GCCs in India's employment landscape as organisations continue to expand technology, operations, finance, engineering and business support functions across the country.

States intensify competition for GCC investments

According to CBRE, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have introduced dedicated policies aimed at strengthening their position in the GCC ecosystem.

Collectively, these states are targeting approximately 1.18 million new jobs through planned GCC expansion by 2031.

Commenting on the trend, Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO for India, South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa at CBRE, said the pace at which state governments have formalised dedicated GCC policies is unprecedented in India's commercial real estate landscape.

He noted that GCCs have evolved from being a supporting component of the services economy to becoming a strategic pillar of economic growth, prompting states to compete aggressively for new investments.

Karnataka and Maharashtra emerge as major growth hubs

The report identifies Karnataka and Maharashtra as two of the most ambitious markets in terms of GCC expansion and employment generation.

State-wise GCC and employment targets

• Karnataka: 500 GCCs and 3.5 lakh jobs
• Maharashtra: 200 GCCs and 4 lakh jobs
• Rajasthan: More than 200 GCCs and 1.5 lakh jobs
• Gujarat: More than 250 GCCs and 50,000 jobs
• Kerala: 80 GCCs and 1.6 lakh jobs
• Haryana: More than 100 GCCs and 30,000 jobs
• Madhya Pradesh: More than 50 GCCs and 37,000 jobs

The targets reflect a broader shift in India's GCC landscape, which is expanding beyond established hubs to include emerging destinations seeking to attract global corporations and high-value employment.

Policy support widens beyond dedicated GCC states

CBRE noted that several other states are also strengthening their approach to GCC development.

Tamil Nadu has introduced specialised incentives for GCC employees, while Telangana and Delhi have adopted policy frameworks aimed at encouraging the growth of the sector.

The report also stated that additional states are evaluating policy measures to attract GCC investments and support ecosystem development.

The growing policy focus comes as companies increasingly seek locations offering talent availability, infrastructure readiness and operational efficiency.

Office demand reflects GCC expansion

The rapid expansion of GCC activity is also reshaping India's commercial real estate market.

According to CBRE, GCCs leased more than 123 million square feet of office space across India's top nine cities between 2022 and the first half of 2026.

The scale of leasing activity highlights the sector's growing importance to office demand, urban development and employment generation across major business centres.

Industry experts have increasingly pointed to GCCs as a key driver of high-skilled job creation, particularly in technology, engineering, finance, analytics, research and digital operations.

GCCs become a strategic growth engine

The report suggests that dedicated state policies are becoming an important differentiator in attracting global enterprises looking to establish or expand capability centres in India.

With multiple states committing to targeted incentives and long-term ecosystem development, the GCC sector is expected to remain a major contributor to employment growth and commercial expansion over the remainder of the decade.

As India strengthens its position as a global hub for enterprise operations and innovation, competition among states to attract GCC investments is likely to intensify, shaping the next phase of workforce and economic growth.