Seven Indian states are targeting nearly 1,380 new Global Capability Centres by 2031, potentially creating 12 lakh jobs and strengthening India’s position as a global services hub.
Seven Indian states are stepping up efforts to attract Global Capability Centres (GCCs) by introducing dedicated policies aimed at encouraging multinational companies and global businesses to expand their operations in India.
According to a CBRE report, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have collectively set ambitious targets for GCC expansion.
Together, these states are targeting around 1,380 new GCCs and approximately 1.18 million jobs, or nearly 12 lakh employment opportunities, by 2031.
The targets underline the growing importance of GCCs in India's services economy and the increasing competition among states to attract high-value global operations.
GCCs are specialised centres established by multinational companies to manage functions such as technology development, research and development, analytics, finance, engineering, consulting and other business services.
India has emerged as a major destination for these centres because of its large skilled workforce, technology capabilities and established business-services ecosystem.
The expansion of GCCs can generate highly skilled employment while encouraging investment in technology, infrastructure and innovation.
Karnataka has established the most ambitious target among the seven states. The state aims to attract around 500 GCCs and potentially generate approximately 3.5 lakh jobs by 2031.
Bengaluru's established reputation as a technology and innovation centre provides Karnataka with a strong foundation for attracting multinational companies.
Maharashtra is targeting around 200 GCCs and could generate approximately 4 lakh employment opportunities.
The state's major commercial and financial centres, along with its established corporate ecosystem and talent pool, could support continued GCC expansion.
Interestingly, Maharashtra's projected employment potential is among the highest despite its target of fewer centres compared with Karnataka.
Rajasthan is also seeking to expand its presence in the GCC market. The state is targeting more than 200 GCCs, with the potential to create approximately 1.5 lakh jobs.
The policy push reflects efforts to expand beyond India's traditional technology hubs and encourage global businesses to establish operations in emerging locations.
Gujarat has set a target of more than 250 GCCs. The state expects these centres to create around 50,000 jobs.
Gujarat's industrial base, improving infrastructure and growing technology ecosystem could help it attract companies looking to establish business and technology operations outside traditional GCC destinations.
Kerala has set a target of approximately 80 GCCs. The state estimates that these centres could create around 1.6 lakh employment opportunities.
The target highlights the potential for GCC development in states that have strong educational institutions and skilled talent pools but have traditionally attracted fewer large-scale global capability operations than established technology hubs.
The adoption of dedicated GCC policies by multiple states demonstrates how competition for global investment is intensifying across India.
States are increasingly attempting to differentiate themselves by offering policy support, improving infrastructure and developing specialised talent pools.
The objective is to convince multinational companies that their operations can be established and expanded efficiently within the state.
GCCs can provide several economic benefits beyond direct employment. Their presence can increase demand for commercial real estate, technology infrastructure, professional services and other supporting businesses.
They can also create opportunities for local startups and service providers that work with multinational companies.
For years, cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Delhi-NCR have dominated India's GCC landscape.
The emergence of state-level policies could encourage companies to explore additional locations.
Emerging destinations may offer access to new talent pools, lower operating costs and opportunities to build operations closer to regional universities and business ecosystems.
This geographical diversification could make India's GCC ecosystem broader and more resilient.
The expected job creation is particularly important because GCCs increasingly perform sophisticated functions rather than simply handling back-office operations.
Modern centres can work on artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, engineering, research and development and financial services.
As a result, the expansion of GCCs could contribute to the creation of higher-skilled employment and improve opportunities for India's technology and professional workforce.
Dedicated GCC policies are expected to focus on creating a supportive environment for multinational companies.
These efforts can include improving infrastructure, strengthening talent availability and encouraging investment in technology and business services.
States are also looking to develop ecosystems where companies can find skilled employees, reliable infrastructure and supporting service providers.
The combined targets from the seven states indicate significant potential for India's GCC sector over the coming years.
The expansion could further strengthen India's position as a major global destination for technology, business services and knowledge-intensive operations.
For multinational companies, India's talent base and established services ecosystem continue to make the country an attractive location for building global operations.
Conclusion
The plans of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh highlight the growing competition to attract Global Capability Centres across India. With a combined target of around 1,380 GCCs and 1.18 million jobs by 2031, the states could significantly expand India's services ecosystem. The success of these plans will depend on effective policy implementation, talent development, infrastructure and the ability to create attractive conditions for multinational companies.