India’s Global Capability Centre ecosystem is expected to generate $98.4 billion in FY26 revenue as multinational firms accelerate AI, R&D, and technology investments across the country.
India’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) industry is projected to generate $98.4 billion in revenue in fiscal 2026, reaching levels that industry estimates had previously expected only by 2030, according to a joint report released by Nasscom and consultancy firm Zinnov.
The report highlights how multinational companies are accelerating investments in India as they look to manage rising operational costs, geopolitical uncertainty, tighter global labour markets, and AI-driven business transformation.
Global firms including JPMorgan Chase, McDonald’s, and Nvidia are increasingly using their India-based GCCs for high-value functions such as software engineering, research and development, finance operations, and AI-related work rather than limiting them to traditional back-office services.
According to the report, India added or expanded more than 100 GCCs during FY26. New and expanding centres included operations from Anthropic, Eli Lilly, FedEx, Marriott International, and Lufthansa.
The report said India is expected to host 2,117 GCCs in FY26 with a talent base of 2.36 million professionals. That figure is approaching an earlier forecast that estimated India would reach between 2,100 and 2,200 centres employing 2.5 million to 2.8 million people by 2030.
Industry executives and analysts say the rapid acceleration reflects a broader shift in how multinational corporations view India within their global operating models. Companies are increasingly relocating strategic technology and AI workloads to India while also bringing key technology functions in-house through captive centres instead of relying entirely on third-party outsourcing vendors.
The report noted that India’s large AI-ready workforce, scalable operating models, and supportive tax environment have helped companies expand operations more quickly than previously anticipated. Rising U.S. visa costs and inflationary pressures linked to global conflicts have also contributed to the shift.
North American companies continue to dominate India’s GCC expansion pipeline, accounting for nearly two-thirds of new centre setups, according to the report. Many global firms are using India not only as a talent hub but also as a strategic base for digital transformation, AI engineering, cybersecurity, analytics, and enterprise technology development.
The expansion trend has continued across sectors in 2026. Companies including BASF, eBay, and Revolut have recently announced expansion or launch plans in India.
The findings come amid broader optimism around India’s technology sector. Earlier this year, India’s IT industry was forecast to cross $300 billion in revenue for the first time in FY26 as enterprises globally increase spending on AI adoption, cloud modernisation, automation, and digital infrastructure.
The rapid rise of GCCs is also reshaping India’s employment landscape, particularly in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Gurgaon, where multinational firms continue to expand engineering, AI, and enterprise operations teams.
Key Takeaways
• India’s GCC industry is projected to generate $98.4 billion in FY26 revenue
• More than 100 new or expanded GCCs were added during the fiscal year
• AI, software engineering, finance, and R&D are driving higher-value GCC work
• North American firms account for nearly two-thirds of new GCC setups
• India is expected to host 2,117 GCCs employing 2.36 million professionals in FY26
Source: Reuters