Emerging Tech Hubs: Mangalore, Bhopal, and Aurangabad Join GCC Expansion
Small cities like Mangalore, Bhopal, Aurangabad join GCC race
The Economic TimesImage: The Economic Times
India's global capability centres (GCCs) are increasingly expanding into tier-II cities like Mangalore, Bhopal, and Aurangabad, driven by lower costs and supportive policies. These cities now account for 30-32% of new job postings, with a growing demand for tech roles and smaller, high-impact nano-GCCs.
- 01Tier-II cities like Mangalore, Bhopal, and Aurangabad are emerging as new hubs for global capability centres (GCCs).
- 02These cities now represent 30-32% of new job postings in the tech sector.
- 03Nano-GCCs, smaller centres focused on R&D and AI, are gaining traction in these locations.
- 04Commercial real estate costs in smaller cities are up to 50% lower than in metropolitan areas.
- 05Policy support from states like Madhya Pradesh is encouraging the establishment of GCCs in tier-II cities.
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India's global capability centres (GCCs) are increasingly moving into tier-II cities such as Mangalore, Bhopal, and Aurangabad, marking a significant shift from traditional metropolitan hubs. These cities now account for 30-32% of new job postings in the tech sector, according to Sachin Alug, CEO of NLB Services. The rise of nano-GCCs, which are smaller centres with 20 to 100 professionals focused on research and development (R&D) and artificial intelligence (AI), is driving this trend. Vikram Ahuja, co-founder of ANSR, noted that demand for GCCs in tier-II and tier-III cities has increased to nearly 35% of new evaluations in FY25, up from 14.9% in FY24. Despite this growth, 85-88% of new centres are still located in metropolitan areas. The lower commercial real estate costs—up to 50% cheaper—and reduced living expenses in these cities are attractive factors. Additionally, the attrition rate in tier-II cities is lower, ranging from 10-14%, compared to 16-20% in tier-I cities. Policies like Madhya Pradesh's dedicated GCC policy and Karnataka's Beyond Bengaluru initiative are crucial in promoting this expansion. Companies outside Bengaluru can benefit from rental reimbursements and investment subsidies, further incentivizing the establishment of GCCs in these emerging tech hubs.
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The expansion of GCCs into tier-II cities could lead to increased job opportunities and improved living standards for local residents.
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