India’s Global Capability Centres are poised to add nearly 180 million sq. ft. of office space by 2030, according to Savills India. Driven by high-value sectors, deep tech talent, and innovation-led mandates, GCCs are evolving into strategic growth engines, ensuring strong long-term demand for offices.
India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are entering one of their strongest expansion cycles yet, reinforcing the country’s position as a global hub for enterprise innovation. According to Savills India, GCCs are expected to lease around 180 million sq. ft. of office space between 2025 and 2030, signalling sustained momentum for India’s commercial real estate market. This growth builds on a robust base—between 2020 and 2024, GCCs leased 112 million sq. ft., growing at a healthy 12% CAGR.
Record Leasing and Market Concentration
The pace accelerated sharply in 2024, when GCCs absorbed a record 33 million sq. ft., accounting for 44% of India’s total office leasing—the highest share ever recorded. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune continue to dominate, together contributing nearly 70% of GCC leasing over the past five years. Bengaluru remains the leading hub for technology- and engineering-led GCCs; Hyderabad has carved a niche in healthcare and pharma capabilities; and Mumbai continues to attract BFSI occupiers, even as Bengaluru retains the deepest BFSI talent pool.
Shift Toward High-Value, Innovation-Led Sectors
Savills India highlights that future growth will be driven by high-value sectors such as automotive, semiconductors, and life sciences, which are expected to account for about 30% of GCC leasing demand between 2025 and 2030. These sectors align closely with India’s broader push toward EV manufacturing, advanced electronics, and healthcare R&D, reinforcing the country’s transition to an innovation-led economy.
From Cost Centres to Strategic Assets
GCCs in India have evolved far beyond their original cost-arbitrage role. Today, they lead global mandates in GenAI, cybersecurity, data engineering, intelligent automation, and IP creation. This shift is also visible in talent economics, with GCC roles offering 12–20% higher compensation than traditional IT services positions. Reflecting this change, Arvind Nandan, Managing Director – Research & Consulting at Savills India, notes that “GCC real estate is increasingly being viewed as a strategic investment rather than a pure operational cost,” adding that future expansion will be shaped by green infrastructure, hybrid work models, and self-sustained campuses that attract top-tier talent.
Location Strategy and Future-Ready Workplaces
Workplace strategy is becoming central to decision-making in the GCC. Naveen Nandwani, Managing Director – Commercial Advisory & Transactions at Savills India, says that GCCs are placing a sharper focus on “location strategy, workplace design, and long-term scalability” as they expand in India. The growing emphasis on digital innovation and advanced technology roles is pushing occupiers to invest in flexible, future-ready office environments that support collaboration and innovation.
What Lies Ahead for Office Demand
Savills India estimates that India currently hosts around 1,800 GCCs and employs 1.9 million professionals. By 2030, this is expected to rise to 2,200 GCCs with a workforce of 2.8 million. Mid-market global enterprises, with revenues between USD 100 million and USD 1 billion, are emerging as the next major growth drivers. With GCCs expected to lease roughly 30 million sq. ft. annually through 2030, India’s office and flexible workspace demand looks set to remain structurally strong for the rest of the decade.
