As Big Tech falters under the weight of its own volatility, a quiet revolution is reshaping India’s tech future. Mid-tier GCCs, once relegated to support functions, are now talent magnets, promising careers built on intention, not just compensation.
A Tectonic Shift in Tech Talent Preferences
A few months ago, at a networking mixer in Pune, a laid-off cloud engineer from a major Big Tech firm surprised a journalist with his composure when he stated that he is done with the volatility. His words echoed a larger shift in sentiment that has been quietly reverberating across India’s tech corridors, from Hyderabad to Ahmedabad.
Over 2.4 lakh tech professionals were laid off globally in 2023, shaking confidence in the stability of even the largest names in tech. But the chaos also created opportunity: mid-tier Global Capability Centres (GCCs), once dismissed as back-office setups, are now positioning themselves as agile, innovation-driven destinations for India’s top talent.
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From Support Desks to Strategic Hubs
The narrative around GCCs is rapidly evolving. More than 50% of India’s 1,700+ GCCs have outgrown their legacy roles as support units. These centres now steer core mandates across engineering, digital transformation, and product development. In FY23–24 alone, 24 GCCs surpassed $1 billion in export revenue, a signal that they’re no longer playing a peripheral role in the global tech value chain.
Cities like Pune, Coimbatore, and Ahmedabad are emerging as unlikely innovation capitals. Pune, especially, has quietly transitioned into a product development nucleus. The appeal isn’t just cost efficiency—it’s lifestyle, learning, and leadership exposure.
A New Talent Playbook: Culture Over Compensation
Talent today is discerning. They’re not chasing titles, they’re chasing meaning. GCCs that thrive are the ones offering internal mobility, early leadership exposure, and cross-functional learning. These aren’t perks anymore, they’re non-negotiables for the next-generation workforce.
Attrition tells the tale: mid-sized GCCs saw 12% attrition, compared to 18% in Big Tech. The message is clear—when people see a future, they stay. Looking ahead, the GCC workforce is projected to grow from 1.9 million to 4.5 million by 2030. This growth won’t come from poaching, it will come from reimagining recruitment: focusing less on pedigree, more on potential, adaptability, and curiosity.
About the author – Prakriti Jha is a student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, currently pursuing B.Sc. LL.B (Hons.) with a keen interest in the intersection of law and data science. She is passionate about exploring how legal frameworks adapt to the evolving challenges of technology and justice.