India Set to Add Over 100 GCCs in 2026 as National GCC Policy Takes Shape

Overview: India’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) sector is hitting a new gear. Industry estimates point to more than 100 new GCCs landing in 2026 alone, with over 60 already setting up shop in the first half of the year. Meanwhile, the government is moving forward with its first National GCC Policy. Once finalised, it is expected to ease approvals, cut down on paperwork, and give a serious push to high-value tech work. For global companies looking closely at R&D, tech, and innovation hubs, India’s value proposition is getting harder to ignore.

The narrative around Indian GCCs has shifted far beyond average back-office support. Today, global teams rely on their Indian centres to drive artificial intelligence, core engineering, advanced research, and product development. With the country currently home to 2,117 GCCs spanning 3,728 units, employing nearly 2.36 million professionals, and bringing in $98.4 billion in market revenue for FY2026, this upcoming national policy is timed well to help steer the next wave of growth.

The Growth Story Continues

Data from IT advisory and industry trackers shows India on track to add over 100 GCCs this year, a trend picked up by major business reports. More than 60 GCCs are opened in the first six months alone, potentially injecting up to $2 billion in annual revenue. 

Overall industry revenue is projected to climb from roughly $98 billion in FY2026 to almost $108 billion this financial year. Since FY2021, India’s GCC ecosystem has grown by 32%, alongside a strong presence of more than 506 Global 2000 companies operating across the country.

Moving Toward High-Value Functions

Indian GCCs are tackling much more than routine tasks these days. Their core focus areas now span:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Software and product engineering
• Research and development (R&D)
• Data and analytics
• Cybersecurity

Nearly half of all GCCs established since FY2021 were built with AI as a core pillar, underscoring a sharp pivot toward deep tech and innovation-driven operations.

What Could Change With the National GCC Policy?

First signalled in the Union Budget 2025–26, the national GCC framework is expected to be finalised soon. Although official notification is still pending, key measures under discussion include:

• Single-window clearance: Designed to lift the heavy administrative burden of securing over 30 separate permissions from central and state bodies.
  
• Entity-based digital document lockers: Allowing businesses to submit regulatory files once rather than repeating the process across departments.
  
• Better Centre-State coordination: Streamlining communication between different regulatory layers.
  
• Tier-II city expansion: Encouraging growth into well-connected Tier-II cities to ease pressure on major metros.
  
• R&D and innovation focus: Shifting the industry further up the value chain.

Importantly, the policy is meant to act as an enabling framework rather than a blanket package of tax breaks or financial incentives. It won’t replace existing state-level policies already rolled out by Karnataka, Telangana, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. 

With a national target of 5,000 GCCs by 2030, this framework aims to lay a steady foundation for the long haul.

What Does This Mean for Foreign Companies?

For businesses planning to set up a GCC, nailing down the right India entry structure is the crucial first step. Depending on ownership and regulations, companies typically weigh an Indian subsidiary, a joint venture, or alternative permitted frameworks. Beyond incorporation, teams must navigate foreign investment compliance, tax registrations, and ongoing regulatory requirements. It’s also wise to separate announced policy proposals from benefits that have been officially notified and implemented.

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Setindiabiz Editorial Team is a multidisciplinary collective of Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, and Advocates offering authoritative insights on India’s regulatory and business landscape. With decades of experience in compliance, taxation, and advisory, they empower entrepreneurs and enterprises to make informed decisions.