A recent industry report reveals that Bengaluru and Hyderabad have become the epicentres of leadership activity within India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs). Together, the two cities account for nearly 70 per cent of the country’s leadership roles in the sector. Hyderabad leads in the growth of senior-level hiring with a 42 per cent year-on-year surge, while Bengaluru remains the top choice for global firms seeking experienced technology and operations leaders. This geographic concentration of GCC leadership underlines India’s growing strategic importance as a global hub for innovation, digital transformation and operational excellence.
Bengaluru: The Nerve Centre of Global Capability Operations
Bengaluru continues to command a dominant position in India’s GCC ecosystem, hosting the highest share of leadership and executive roles. The city’s mature talent market, extensive digital infrastructure and global corporate presence have made it the first choice for multinational firms setting up capability centres.
Industry data indicates that Bengaluru accounts for around one-third of India’s total GCC leadership positions. However, this concentration comes with a cost premium — the city’s cost index stands about 8 to 10 per cent higher than the national average. Despite rising expenses, Bengaluru’s strong technology base and established talent pipelines continue to attract global enterprises across sectors such as IT services, financial technology, advanced analytics and product development.
Hyderabad’s Accelerating Rise as a GCC Magnet
Hyderabad, once a secondary destination for back-office and IT support, is now witnessing a remarkable transformation into a GCC powerhouse. The city recorded a 42 per cent year-on-year increase in leadership role requisitions — the fastest among all major metros. Senior executives in Hyderabad are also commanding a 6 to 8 per cent premium compared with the national average, reflecting the growing competitiveness of the city’s leadership talent.
The report highlights that 45 per cent of Hyderabad’s GCC workforce is concentrated in high-tech domains such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and blockchain. The city’s business-friendly environment, cost efficiency and strong government support are further fuelling this expansion. For global corporations, Hyderabad now presents a compelling alternative to Bengaluru, particularly for innovation-led, digital-first operations.
Leadership and Skills Shortages Pose a Strategic Challenge
While both cities have emerged as frontrunners in India’s GCC landscape, the demand for leadership and niche technology skills is far outpacing supply. The report notes that roles related to generative AI and large language models face a skill gap of nearly 50 per cent. Similarly, positions in FinOps, Zero Trust architecture, Kubernetes and Terraform remain difficult to fill, with shortages ranging between 38 and 45 per cent.
Recruitment timelines have also lengthened significantly. It now takes an average of 90 to 120 days to close senior-level positions, with offer-to-join ratios hovering around 70 per cent. This talent imbalance is pushing companies to rethink their hiring strategies, invest in reskilling programmes and explore talent pools in emerging Tier-2 cities.
Economic and Real Estate Implications
The rise of Bengaluru and Hyderabad as GCC hubs is reshaping urban and economic development patterns. Together, they accounted for nearly half of all technology-sector office leasing in the first half of 2025 — Bengaluru at 28 per cent and Hyderabad at 21 per cent. This surge in demand for high-quality office space reflects the continued expansion of global corporations consolidating operations in these cities.
Real estate developers are capitalising on this momentum, with increased investment in flexible workspaces, sustainability-driven infrastructure and digital campuses. At the same time, local governments face the challenge of maintaining cost competitiveness while ensuring that urban infrastructure keeps pace with rapid corporate expansion.
The Road Ahead: Beyond Cost Arbitrage to Strategic Value
India’s GCC landscape is shifting from cost-centric models toward innovation-driven global delivery. As multinational corporations deepen their commitment to India, leadership concentration in Bengaluru and Hyderabad signals a broader transformation — one driven by knowledge capital, not just labour cost.
To sustain this growth, policymakers and industry leaders will need to focus on nurturing advanced skills, strengthening higher education linkages and promoting equitable development across emerging cities such as Pune, Chennai and Noida.
With India now hosting more than half of the world’s GCCs, the success of its southern hubs — particularly Bengaluru and Hyderabad — underscores the country’s ascent as the preferred global destination for enterprise transformation, digital leadership and cross-border innovation.
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