Archive · 23 Jun 2025
India's GCCs Evolve, Pharma and Retail to Drive Next Wave
Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India are becoming more important, going from basic support to innovation hubs.
India has the most GCCs globally.
EY helps many GCCs set up and grow.
Key growth areas are in healthcare, retail, and technology.
Challenges include rising costs, finding skilled workers, and possible global trade issues.
India needs better infrastructure and policies to keep growing.
India hosts 45-50% of global GCCs, significantly more than any other region.
GCCs in India have evolved from support services to driving innovation and global initiatives.
EY partners with 35-40% of India's GCCs, assisting with setup, scaling, and transformation.
Pharma and healthcare, consumer products, and retail sectors are expected to see strong GCC growth.
Key challenges include hub saturation, rising costs, skill mismatches, and potential protectionism.
- Who
- GCCs, global firms, and EY India.
- What
- GCCs are evolving in India, transitioning from back-office support to driving global innovation.
- When
- Over the past two decades, with a significant shift around 2015-16.
- Where
- India, with major hubs and growing interest in Tier II cities.
- Why
- To leverage India's talent, scale, and digital maturity for innovation and global initiatives.
Current Challenges
Future Outlook
Hub Capacity
Current Challenges
Saturation of major hubs like Bangalore and Pune
Future Outlook
Continued expansion and growth opportunities
Cost Management
Current Challenges
Rising costs faster than salaries
Future Outlook
Competitive compensation strategies
Global Trade Impact
Current Challenges
Potential negative impact from global protectionism
Future Outlook
Focus on innovation and adapting to policies
- Global GCC Share (India)
- 45-50%
- EY's GCC Partnerships
- 35-40%
- Shift in GCC Focus (circa)
- 2015-16
- Leading Growth Sectors
- Pharma, Retail, Tech
- Key Challenges
- Hub saturation, cost increases, skills mismatch
