Winning the GCC Talent Race: What Top Global Centers in India Do Differently
Harness the power of data to improve hiring decisions and create high-performance teams
India has become the global nerve center for innovation. With more than 1,600 Global Capability Centers (GCCs) already operational and several more emerging across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, the country is no longer just a cost destination. It has evolved into the world’s preferred innovation ecosystem where global enterprises are building their next-generation products, digital platforms, and customer experiences (NASSCOM, 2024).
The conversation has moved beyond why global companies are setting up in India to how GCCs can build and sustain future-ready talent.
TL; DR: How Winning GCCs Approach Talent
Hire for problem-solving, not just execution. The best GCCs are turning into innovation labs, not delivery centers.
Make skilling a continuous investment. Top players build in-house academies and co-create programs with platforms like upGrad.
Expand beyond Tier 1 cities. Distributed and hybrid models are unlocking untapped talent across new regions.
Build strong employer brands. DEI, purpose, and mobility matter as much as compensation.
Partner with intent. High-performing GCCs collaborate with recruitment and staffing companies in India that bring both speed and strategic depth.
India’s GCC Boom: More Than Scale
India offers unmatched scale, a digital talent pool of over 14.67 million professionals, a robust services ecosystem, and a 24/7 time zone advantage. But scale alone doesn’t explain the GCC boom.
Many GCCs today own end-to-end product development for global markets. They design AI and machine learning models, drive digital transformation, and even operate as global cybersecurity command centers. This shift from “shared services” to “strategic value creators” has completely redefined what hiring for GCCs means.
1. Hiring for Problem-Solving, Not Just Execution
The highest-performing GCCs no longer see themselves as cost centers. They see themselves as growth engines. And that starts with hiring differently. Rather than hiring process executors, they look for first-principles thinkers; professionals who can design, innovate, and solve business problems at scale.
Organizations are increasingly using competency-based assessments, case challenges, and domain-specific tasks to identify candidates who can think critically and collaborate cross-functionally. This mindset has reshaped how staffing and recruiting companies in India engage with GCCs. The focus is shifting from filling headcount to providing strategic recruitment services that align directly with business impact.
2. Skilling as a Strategic Lever
Tech cycles are getting shorter, and most skills are rapidly shrinking. A role that exists today could be outdated in less than two years. Leading GCCs recognize that skilling is not an expense but a long-term investment in agility and innovation. Many are building in-house academies focused on AI, cybersecurity, and cloud skills, adopting Build-Operate-Transfer learning models with partners like upGrad, and launching career mobility programs that help employees reskill across functions and stay future-ready.
3. Distributed and Hybrid Models as Talent Magnets
The competition for tech talent in Bengaluru and Hyderabad is fierce. To build sustainably, GCCs are expanding to new locations like Pune, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Indore. These distributed hubs help them tap into untapped talent pools while optimizing costs and boosting diversity.
This expansion strategy has turned staffing and recruiting services in India into local intelligence partners mapping regional ecosystems, understanding compliance frameworks, and designing retention playbooks tailored to each market.
4. Employer Branding as a Core Strategy
Attrition continues to be one of the biggest challenges for GCCs. The most successful ones tackle it by placing employer branding and employee experience at the core of their people strategy. They focus on building transparent career paths with clear mobility opportunities, creating purpose-driven projects that offer global exposure, and maintaining a measurable commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many also invest in learning programs that connect professional growth with well-being, which 91% of employees cite as a top priority.
The message is clear: employees don’t just choose roles; they choose cultures. Winning GCCs invest in creating experiences that resonate with ambition, purpose, and trust.
Today, HR recruitment services are not only about sourcing talent; they are about storytelling that helps candidates see where they belong.
The Role of Talent Partners
The most successful GCCs rely on partners who bring together recruitment intelligence and deep domain expertise. The right talent partner not only delivers pre-vetted, job-ready candidates but also co-creates skilling programs aligned with GCC priorities. They enable flexible staffing for seasonal or project-based needs while reducing both time-to-hire and cost-per-hire through technology-driven sourcing.
This is where upGrad Rekrut plays a pivotal role, operating not just as a recruiter but as a recruitment services company that helps GCCs scale efficiently, build future-ready teams, and stay ahead of change.
The Bottom Line: Talent is the Differentiator
As global enterprises deepen their investments in India, GCCs that lead with a people-first strategy will not just support global operations; they will define the next chapter of enterprise evolution.
Looking to build a future-ready GCC?
Partner with upGrad Rekrut, your strategic talent ally for hiring, skilling, and workforce design.
Data Sources
NASSCOM. (2024). India GCC Landscape Report.
https://nasscom.in/knowledge-center/publications/india-gcc-landscape-report-2024World Economic Forum. (2024). Future of Jobs Report 2024.
https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2024Deloitte. (2025). Global Shared Services and GCC Maturity Study.
https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/insights/topics/operations/gcc-maturity-study.htmlFinancial Express. (2025). GCCs in India: From Cost Centers to Innovation Hubs.
https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-gccs-in-india-from-cost-centers-to-innovation-hubs-2025/upGrad Rekrut. (2025). Talent Partner Case Studies and GCC Success Stories.
https://www.upgradrekrut.com
