How to set up a GCC in India
The six decisions behind every new Global Capability Center in India, the five ways to set one up, and where to look for incentives.
By AIM Research · 13 November 2026
Six steps
- Step 1Decide the charter
Which work moves to India first (engineering, data, finance, operations) and what the centre should own in three years.
- Step 2Pick a set-up model
Build it yourself, or use a partner for part of the journey (see the models below).
- Step 3Choose the city
Weigh the talent pool for your charter, peer GCCs already there, office supply and state incentives.
- Step 4Set up the entity
Usually an Indian private limited subsidiary, with tax, labour and, where relevant, STPI or SEZ registrations.
- Step 5Find space and hire leaders
Start in flexible space while the permanent office is fitted out; hire the site leader and function heads first.
- Step 6Scale and widen the charter
Grow headcount in waves and move from support work to owning products, platforms and global functions.
Five ways to set one up
The parent sets up and runs the centre itself. Most control, most up-front effort.
A partner builds and runs the centre, then transfers it to the parent at an agreed point.
Advisers handle the entity, real estate and hiring set-up; the parent runs the centre from day one.
The parent and a partner own the centre together.
The parent buys an existing team or captive centre in India.
Partners that offer these models are listed in our GCC enablers directory.
Choosing the city
Start from where peers already are: they prove the talent pool and the support ecosystem for your charter. By number of GCCs, the leading cities are Bengaluru (943), Hyderabad (421), Pune (384), Mumbai (279), Chennai (255), Gurugram (213).
Incentives
Ten states now have a dedicated GCC policy or a GCC scheme, with capital, rent, payroll, hiring and training support, and often higher rates outside the big metros. Compare them in State GCC policies in India.
FAQ
Most GCCs are run through an Indian private limited company that is a subsidiary of the parent. A few start through a branch or a partner’s entity under a build-operate-transfer agreement.
A partner builds and runs the centre for an agreed period, then transfers the team, assets and entity to the parent company.
Yes. Several states have dedicated GCC policies with capital, rent, payroll and training support; see our comparison of state GCC policies.
It depends on the charter. Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune have the deepest pools for engineering and data; several states now offer higher incentives for tier-2 cities.
More guides
Every GCC in India, in one directory
Browse by city, sector and parent country.