GCC Expansion Fuels India’s Office Market Shift as 1.7 Million Jobs Drive New Demand

India’s office real estate market is undergoing a major transformation, with Global Capability Centres (GCCs) emerging as a major driver of commercial leasing activity across key cities. Once viewed mainly as support operations for multinational companies, GCCs are now influencing workplace strategy, office design, infrastructure planning, and even residential development in cities such as Bengaluru, NCR, Hyderabad, and Pune.

According to Bengaluru-based consultancy Wizmatic, multinational IT, ITeS, and engineering research and development operations have added nearly 1.7 million jobs since FY20, taking the total GCC workforce in India to around 4.2 million. The consultancy estimates exports from these centres reached nearly $153 billion in FY25 and may climb further to approximately $164 billion in FY26. The rapid expansion is strengthening India’s position as a global operations and innovation hub while significantly boosting demand for Grade A office space and flexible workplace solutions.

GCCs Redefine Commercial Leasing Trends

Industry experts say GCC occupiers are increasingly becoming preferred long-term tenants in India’s office market. A recent CBRE India assessment noted that GCCs continued to account for a significant share of Grade A office leasing activity in 2025, especially across NCR and emerging business districts. Unlike traditional outsourcing operations, many multinational firms are now setting up strategic and innovation-focused centres with long-term expansion plans.

“The GCC-led expansion across NCR is gradually bringing newer cities like Faridabad into sharper focus,” said Uddhav Poddar, CMD, Bhumika Group. He added that infrastructure projects such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, the FNG corridor, and expanded metro connectivity are improving accessibility and attracting multinational firms seeking scalable office destinations beyond saturated business hubs.

The impact is also evident in how companies select office locations. “Companies operating within GCC ecosystems are showing stronger preference for organised regions where office, retail and residential infrastructure function together,” said Sanchit Bhutani, Managing Director, Group 108. According to him, businesses are increasingly prioritising employee convenience, operational efficiency, and integrated urban ecosystems when evaluating workplace strategies.

Flexible and Amenity-Rich Offices Gain Momentum

The changing role of GCCs is also reshaping workplace expectations. “There is clearly a structural shift underway in how multinational firms are using India,” said Kapil Chugh, VP Sales, Rise Infraventures Limited. He noted that many GCCs are now handling product ownership, analytics, compliance, and strategic technology operations, rather than just execution-focused work. As a result, occupiers are demanding more flexible, collaborative, and amenity-rich office environments that support long-term business growth.

Knight Frank India also observed growing occupier interest in emerging office districts where connectivity and infrastructure have improved over the last five years. Developers are increasingly responding by creating mixed-use business ecosystems that combine office spaces with retail, hospitality, and residential components.

Long-Term Growth Reshaping Urban Development

Real estate stakeholders believe the current expansion cycle is fundamentally different from previous technology-driven office booms. “What developers are witnessing now is not merely another leasing cycle,” said Mohit Batra, Regional Director, Realistic Realtors. He explained that GCC expansion is influencing how business districts are designed, monetised, and integrated with broader urban infrastructure.

As multinational companies continue to deepen their operations in India, the GCC sector is expected to remain a key growth engine for the country’s commercial real estate market. Even as businesses adopt AI and automation, demand for scalable office infrastructure and high-quality workplace ecosystems continues to rise faster than anticipated.