Why Global Talent Leaders Are Prioritizing Capability Hubs

Global companies are now looking at India’s GCCs as key hubs for talent and growth, not just
support offices. With over 1,800 GCCs generating $64 billion every year, these centers have
evolved into AI and innovation driven teams, where 78% focus strongly on upskilling their
people.

Leaders choose India because of its massive talent pool 5.8 million IT professionals and 1.5
million new engineers joining the workforce each year. Many firms are also moving to tier-2
cities, where attrition is 15–25% lower, helping teams stay stable and motivated. For B2B
companies, this means faster execution, smarter decision-making, and reliable growth even
when global markets feel uncertain.

Tier-2 cities like Coimbatore, Jaipur, Vadodara, Kochi, and Chandigarh are becoming the new
talent hotspots. They offer fresh skilled graduates, lower attrition, and strong state
incentives, making them ideal for long-term growth. While metro cities still handle senior
leadership and complex work, tier-2 hubs are great for scaling specialist roles.

Clear roadmaps make all the difference. Many GCCs now follow 12–24 month plans that put
skills first instead of job titles. Teams are spread across Asia–Europe spoke models so work
continues smoothly even during disruptions. Local teams are encouraged to co-create new
ideas, not just execute tasks, which boosts innovation. Smart dashboards track governance,
AI workflows, and business outcomes in real time.

Upskilling is becoming the real game changer for GCCs in India. Instead of fighting expensive
talent wars, companies are building their own pipelines through AI academies, university
partnerships, and apprenticeship programs. These programs train fresh graduates and early
professionals for roles in cybersecurity SOCs, GenAI teams, and cloud operations, helping
GCCs grow talent at scale. Tier-2 cities bring in untapped talent pools, where industry
certifications and hands-on learning create loyal, long-term experts.

India stands out clearly in this change. Today, there are 1,800+ Global Capability Centers
operating in the country, employing nearly 2 million professionals and generating over $64
billion in annual revenue. What started as back-office operations has evolved into high-value
work in AI, data, cloud, cybersecurity, and product engineering.

The real strength of capability hubs lies in talent availability and continuity. India produces
around 1.5 million engineers every year and has a base of 5.8 million IT professionals,
something few countries can match.

In simple terms, India has become one of the smartest places in the world to build and grow
global teams. GCCs are no longer just about saving costs—they are driving innovation,
building AI skills, and creating real business value. By using tier-2 cities, focusing on upskilling
instead of constant hiring, and moving people based on skills rather than job titles,
companies get faster growth, lower attrition, and stronger teams

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