Beyond Bengaluru: India’s Next GCC Cities (2025–2026)

Definition: India’s next GCC cities in 2025 represent the sector’s rapid decentralization beyond Bengaluru. With over 1,800 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) contributing $64.6 billion in revenue, the market is expanding into Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, NCR, and tier-II cities like Visakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad/GIFT City, and Kolkata.

Quick Answer: What Are the Next GCC Cities in India for 2025?

The top next GCC cities in India (2025–2026) are:

• Hyderabad → Life sciences, fintech, engineering hubs.
  
• Chennai → Automotive and BFSI talent.
  
• Pune & Mumbai → Engineering, R&D, and fintech.
  
• NCR (Noida & Gurgaon) → Consulting, analytics, cybersecurity.
  
• Tier-II hubs (Vizag, Coimbatore, GIFT City, Kolkata) → Affordable, government-backed GCC growth.
  

Why it matters: GCC expansion into new metros reduces dependence on Bengaluru while tapping cost advantages, deeper local talent, and policy incentives.

👉 Learn more about capability centre setup in India and how to expand strategically beyond Bengaluru.

Hyderabad: The Life Sciences and Fintech Engine

Hyderabad has emerged as Bengaluru’s strongest challenger, hosting over 355 GCCs (~21% of the national share). The city’s deep talent pools in life sciences, fintech, and engineering are supported by infrastructure like HITEC City, Genome Valley, and Special Economic Zones.

Notable expansions:

• Dai-ichi Life scaled its Hyderabad centre from 60 → 600 engineers.
  
• Eli Lilly to hire up to 1,500 tech and data professionals.
  
• Roche, Bayer, Sandoz, and ANSR’s Visakhapatnam campus strengthen the Hyderabad–Andhra corridor.
  

Advantages:

• Strong tech + life sciences workforce.
  
• Established SEZ and innovation ecosystems.
  
• Supportive state policies.
  

Outlook: Hyderabad will continue attracting R&D, AI, and digital GCCs, with dozens of new centres expected by 2026.

Chennai: Surging Demand and Proactive Planning

In H1 2025, Chennai absorbed 5.5 million sq. ft. in office leasing (57% YoY growth). Global giants like Bank of America, Shell, AstraZeneca, and Workday are expanding their GCC footprints here.

Chennai’s strength lies in automotive and BFSI engineering talent, bolstered by corridors like OMR, Tambaram, and Ambattur. Nearby Coimbatore is also gaining traction as a cost-effective mid-market GCC hub.

Advantages:

• Deep pools in auto, BFSI, and engineering.
  
• Robust infrastructure planning.
  
• Attractive to both large and mid-cap firms.
  

Outlook: 50–80 new centres by 2026, including expansions from mid-sized global firms.

Pune and Mumbai: Engineering Plus Financial Strength

Pune remains a mature hub for engineering, R&D, and automotive technologies. Tata Elxsi recently opened a 1,000-engineer design centre here, citing automotive expertise.

Mumbai, India’s financial capital, continues as an anchor for fintech and analytics GCCs. JPMorgan and US tech firms are leading expansions.

Advantages (Pune):

• Leadership in ER&D + auto engineering.
  
• Strong universities and research ecosystem.
  

Advantages (Mumbai):

• BFSI dominance.
  
• Major tech & consulting occupiers expanding footprints.
  

Outlook: Pune could see 40–60 new GCCs, while Mumbai may gain 30–50—especially in financial services.

NCR (Noida and Gurgaon): A Digital and Consulting Hub

The National Capital Region is one of India’s top six GCC markets, known for consulting, analytics, cybersecurity, and cloud services.

Uttar Pradesh’s new GCC policy includes 30–50% land subsidies, 25% capital grants, and full stamp duty waivers to drive growth in Lucknow, Kanpur, and Prayagraj.

Advantages:

• Proximity to regulatory & decision-making hubs.
  
• Large pool of analytics and cloud talent.
  
• Aggressive state incentives.
  

Outlook: NCR could add 50–70 GCCs by 2026, with UP tier-II cities contributing another 20+ centres.

Tier-II Titans: Visakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad/GIFT City, Kolkata

Visakhapatnam: Backed by an MoU for a 10,000-job GCC campus (ANSR), Vizag is emerging as a government-backed R&D and digital hub.

Coimbatore: Cost-effective for mid-sized firms in engineering + manufacturing IT, often chosen as an expansion from Chennai.

Ahmedabad/GIFT City: With 35+ GCCs, a 10-year tax holiday, and IFSC status, it is India’s most policy-advantaged tier-II hub—drawing BFSI and fintech players like IBM, Oracle, and S&P Global.

Kolkata: West Bengal’s Silicon Valley Tech Hub (250 acres) could generate 100,000 direct tech jobs, specializing in AI and data.

Strategic Framework: Tier-I vs. Tier-II GCC Locations

Key takeaway: Tier-I cities excel in scale and advanced work, while tier-II hubs provide cost-effective, incentive-driven growth.

Implications for Founders, COOs & Hiring Leaders

• Founders/COOs: Diversify beyond Bengaluru. Build redundancy, reduce costs, and tap regional innovation.
  
• Hiring teams: Plan hybrid models combining metro leadership + tier-II execution.
  
• EOR & compliance: Use Employer of Record services in India for smooth hiring and compliance across states.
  
• Operations: Smaller, campus-style offices may be required to create branded experiences.
  
• Talent: Moderate ramp-up with regional skilling programs and partnerships with universities.
  

📌Summary: Next GCC Cities in India 2025

• Definition: India’s next GCC cities in 2025–2026 include Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, NCR, and tier-II hubs like Vizag, GIFT City, Coimbatore, Kolkata.
  
• Drivers: Policy incentives, infrastructure growth, lower costs, and specialized talent clusters.
  
• Tier-I advantage: Scale, advanced R&D, and diverse talent.
  
• Tier-II advantage: 20–40% lower costs, tax breaks, targeted skills.
  
• Implication: India could surpass 2,000 GCCs by 2026, with revenues crossing $110B by 2030.
  

👉 Explore Ralent’s strategy services for GCCs to identify the right city for your global expansion.

Conclusion: Mapping India’s GCC Future

The 2025–26 GCC map of India shows:

• Top hubs: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai.
  
• Emerging metros: Pune, Mumbai, NCR.
  
• Tier-II growth engines: Vizag, GIFT City, Coimbatore, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kolkata.
  

India’s GCC sector is on track to surpass 2,000 centres by 2026, doubling revenues to over $110 billion by 2030. Decentralization into the next GCC cities in India ensures more inclusive, innovation-led growth—providing US companies with a wider range of expansion opportunities.

👉 Ralent helps global firms set up GCCs in India and build scalable, compliant teams that thrive across both metro and tier-II locations.