India GCCs to reach 2,400 by 2030 despite H-1B restrictions
KARNATAKA, INDIA — India is set to solidify its position as a global outsourcing hub, with the number of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) projected to grow from over 1,800 today to 2,400 by 2030, according to TeamLease Services.
In a report from Reuters, despite the United States tightening H-1B visa rules, multinational companies appear undeterred in their plans to expand operations in the country.
India’s GCCs defy global headwinds
Currently, India’s GCCs span sectors from manufacturing to financial services, accounting for more than half of such centers worldwide and generating $64.6 billion in export revenue.
TeamLease predicts that by 2030, this number will nearly double, producing an estimated US$110 billion in economic value. GCC staffing already contributes over 60% of TeamLease’s net revenue, underscoring the sector’s significance to the Indian economy.
While U.S. President Donald Trump’s stricter immigration policies, including tighter scrutiny of H-1B visas and potential taxes on outsourced work, have created uncertainty, experts say the long-term impact is likely to be minimal.
“People don’t just change hiring and firing at the whim of some political policy-related decision,” said Rishi Agarwal, co-founder and CEO of TeamLease RegTech, in an interview with Reuters.
This suggests that companies are prioritizing operational strategy over short-term policy changes.
Global firms and nano-GCCs drive new growth
Although most GCCs in India are backed by U.S. firms, companies from Europe and Southeast Asia are also increasingly investing in the country, drawn by a deep talent pool and cost advantages.
State governments, such as those in Uttar Pradesh, have introduced policies specifically designed to attract GCC investment.
“In the long run, what we hear global leaders talk about is that there will be more work coming into India… out of the top 500 global firms, almost 50%-60% are already here, and are continuing to hire,” said Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital.
Looking ahead, a new wave of smaller “nano-GCCs,” each with fewer than 100 employees, is expected to focus on research, development, and artificial intelligence.
Sharma notes that these operations will leverage inexpensive talent pools and infrastructure, signaling a shift toward highly specialized, cost-efficient innovation hubs.
India’s projected GCC growth reinforces its reputation as a resilient outsourcing destination. For global companies, the combination of skilled labor, competitive costs, and supportive state policies creates a stable environment for expansion.
The rise of nano-GCCs indicates a trend toward agile, innovation-driven outsourcing models—a development that could redefine how companies structure offshore operations in the coming decade.
