Archive · 24 Aug 2026
India’s Next GCC Wave Tests Mohali, UP and Bengaluru
Global capability centres, or GCCs, are offices that companies build to do important work in another country.
Bengaluru has been one of India’s biggest GCC cities for a long time.
Mohali wants companies to choose it because it has short airport-to-city travel, wide roads, colleges and a focus on quality of life.
Punjab says the surrounding tri-city area already has about 1.25 lakh technology workers.
Uttar Pradesh wants to join the next wave by improving offices, infrastructure and technology education.
Lucknow is being developed as an AI city and centre of excellence.
Karnataka says Bengaluru still has a very strong talent and innovation network.
It is also promoting cities such as Mysuru and Mangaluru.
The competition may grow because companies are looking for more places with skilled workers and strong technology ecosystems.
Mohali is pitching its airport access, planned infrastructure, talent base and quality of life to global capability centres.
Punjab says the tri-city region has about 1.25 lakh technology professionals and is offering multiple GCC incentives.
Uttar Pradesh is targeting the second wave of GCC growth through Lucknow’s AI ambitions, expanded infrastructure and talent development.
Karnataka says Bengaluru’s mature ecosystem remains a major advantage while it develops GCC hubs in Mysuru, Mangaluru and other cities.
The next phase of competition is expected to focus on deep technology, innovation, talent supply and ecosystem depth.
- Who
- Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are promoting Mohali and Lucknow, while Karnataka is defending and expanding Bengaluru’s GCC ecosystem.
- What
- The states are competing to attract the next wave of global capability centres and technology investment.
- When
- During the next phase, or “second wave,” of India’s GCC growth; the articles do not specify a date.
- Where
- Mohali in Punjab, Lucknow and other locations in Uttar Pradesh, and Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mangaluru in Karnataka.
- Why
- States want to capture a share of a growing GCC market by offering talent, infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, quality-of-life improvements and financial incentives.
Emerging hubs
Established ecosystem
Best location for new GCCs
Emerging hubs
Punjab and Uttar Pradesh argue that Mohali and Lucknow can offer better quality of life, planned infrastructure, expanding talent pools and lower travel or operating friction.
Established ecosystem
Karnataka argues that Bengaluru has a mature ecosystem, strong talent and innovation networks, global-company presence and multiple established urban nodes.
Role of incentives
Emerging hubs
Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are using capital, operational, payroll, employment and other subsidies to attract companies and build new ecosystems.
Established ecosystem
The emerging-hub representatives say incentives are only part of the proposition; long-term success depends on talent, institutions, infrastructure, leadership and quality of life.
Future growth model
Emerging hubs
Punjab and Uttar Pradesh see room for additional major hubs, including Mohali and Lucknow, as GCC demand expands beyond the traditional centres.
Established ecosystem
Karnataka says Bengaluru will remain strong but is broadening its own proposition through “Bangalore Plus,” including Mysuru, Mangaluru and other locations.
- Mohali technology workforce
- Punjab’s survey estimates around 1.25 lakh technology professionals across the tri-city region.
- Punjab GCC incentives
- The state offers 125% of fixed capital investment, subject to policy conditions, plus an employment-generation subsidy of ₹7,500 per seat created.
- Punjab additional support
- GCCs may receive electricity-duty incentives and a capital subsidy of up to ₹10 crore.
- Uttar Pradesh focus
- Lucknow is being developed as an AI city and centre of excellence for AI.
- Uttar Pradesh talent plan
- The state has identified around 25 institutes to add emerging technologies and deep-tech subjects to their curricula.
- GCC market opportunity
- Karnataka Digital Economy Mission estimates the GCC market could grow from $60 billion to $100 billion, creating a more than $40 billion opportunity.
- Karnataka target
- Karnataka is targeting more than $20 billion of the GCC opportunity while seeking to help other states capture the remainder.