Rising Cities Powering the Next Wave of Digital and Operational Excellence
Global
Capability Centers (GCCs), also known as Global In-house Centers (GICs), are
offshore units set up by multinational corporations to provide IT, business
process, engineering, and digital transformation services. While Bengaluru,
Hyderabad, and Pune have long been the traditional hubs, Tier-2 cities
in India are now catching up due to their competitive cost advantages,
skilled workforce, improved infrastructure, and lower attrition rates.
Let’s explore
seven emerging Tier-2 GCC hubs in India:
1. Lucknow
(Uttar Pradesh)
Key
Strengths:
- Supported by Uttar Pradesh's
IT and Startup Policy, offering capital and rental subsidies.
- Rapid growth in infrastructure
including Medanta IT Park, IT City (Chak Ganjaria).
- Strong engineering talent pool
from IIT Kanpur, IIIT Lucknow, AKTU.
- Increasing presence of startups
and mid-sized tech firms.
Notable
Developments:
- HCL Technologies’ campus is a
significant landmark.
- Emphasis on cybersecurity and
data analytics GCC roles.
2. Indore
(Madhya Pradesh)
Key
Strengths:
- India’s cleanest city and
a growing educational hub (IIM Indore, IIT Indore).
- Well-connected with Delhi and
Mumbai; strong infrastructure with Crystal IT Park.
- Support from MP government’s
IT policy.
Notable
Developments:
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
and Infosys campuses operational.
- Focus on finance, accounting, and
IT services GCC functions.
3. Mysuru
(Karnataka)
Key
Strengths:
- Proximity to Bengaluru, yet lower
costs and better quality of life.
- Presence of Infosys Global
Education Center – one of the largest in the world.
- Government focus under Beyond
Bengaluru initiative.
Notable
Developments:
- Ideal for R&D and training
GCCs.
- Emerging ecosystem for cybersecurity
and healthcare IT.
4. Jaipur
(Rajasthan)
Key
Strengths:
- Pink City emerging as a startup
and IT hub.
- Ample graduates from MNIT
Jaipur and Rajasthan Technical University.
- Part of the Delhi-Mumbai
Industrial Corridor (DMIC).
Notable
Developments:
- Genpact and Deutsche Bank already
have delivery centers.
- Focus areas include BFSI,
retail tech, and customer analytics.
5. Coimbatore
(Tamil Nadu)
Key
Strengths:
- Strong presence of engineering,
textile, and manufacturing industries.
- Backed by talent from PSG
Tech, Amrita University, CIT.
- Favorable business climate and low
attrition.
Notable
Developments:
- Cognizant and Bosch have
long-standing centers here.
- Ideal for industry-specific
GCCs in automotive, textiles, and AI/ML.
6. Kochi
(Kerala)
Key
Strengths:
- Kerala’s IT flagship project Infopark
Kochi is a thriving tech hub.
- High literacy rate and strong
English proficiency.
- Government push through Kerala
IT policy.
Notable
Developments:
- GCCs in healthcare, edtech,
and maritime tech growing steadily.
- TCS, IBS Software, UST Global are
key players.
7. Chandigarh
(Tricity Region: Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula)
Key
Strengths:
- Well-planned city with excellent
infrastructure.
- Education institutions like Punjab
Engineering College, Panjab University fuel tech talent.
- Focus on IT, biotech, and
education services.
Notable
Developments:
- QuarkCity and IT Park in Mohali
act as GCC magnets.
- Specialization in edtech, legal tech, and analytics.
Why These
Cities Are Gaining Momentum:
|
Factor |
Advantage in Tier-2 Cities |
|
Cost of operations |
25–30% lower than Tier-1 cities |
|
Talent availability |
Engineering & tech graduates in
large numbers |
|
Attrition rate |
Much lower, ensuring workforce
stability |
|
Policy support |
State-level incentives and
infrastructure |
|
Quality of life |
Less traffic, pollution, and urban
stress |
Conclusion
The Indian GCC landscape is rapidly evolving with Tier-2 cities like Lucknow, Indore, Mysuru, Jaipur, Coimbatore, Kochi, and Chandigarh becoming preferred destinations for digital transformation, AI/ML, cloud computing, and operations hubs. With proactive governance, infrastructure development, and a maturing talent ecosystem, these cities are poised to drive the next decade of India’s knowledge economy.
