Hyderabad leads India in healthcare, pharma GCC office leasing
CHENNAI, INDIA — Hyderabad has emerged as India’s leading hub for healthcare and pharmaceutical global capability centers (GCCs), solidifying its position as a critical destination for multinational firms seeking innovation and high-value digital operations.
In 2024 alone, GCCs contributed 33 million square feet of office absorption nationwide, 44% of India’s total, the highest share recorded so far, according to a recent report by Savills India.
Hyderabad powers India’s GCC office leasing boom
The report highlights that Hyderabad, alongside Bengaluru and Pune, accounts for 70% of India’s GCC leasing activity between 2020 and 2024, reflecting the city’s growing appeal to global companies.
Hyderabad’s strength lies in its robust talent pool, modern infrastructure, and strategic focus on sectors such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and emerging technologies.
GCCs leased 112 million square feet of office space nationwide between 2020 and 2024, with projections indicating an additional 180 million square feet will be leased between 2025 and 2030.
A significant portion of this future demand is expected to flow into Hyderabad, driven by the city’s ability to attract companies looking to establish innovation, R&D, and high-value digital capability centers.
GCC growth outlook to 2030 and key sector drivers
Currently, 1,800 GCCs in India employ 1.9 million people, and by 2030, this number is anticipated to rise to 2,200 GCCs with 2.8 million employees.
Hyderabad is poised to capture a growing share of this expansion, supported by demand from the automotive, semiconductor, and life sciences sectors, projected to drive 30% of future GCC leasing.
“Green infrastructure, hybrid work models and strategic location choices will shape the next wave of GCC expansion. In India, GCC real estate is no longer just a cost but an investment to attract talent and innovate,” said Arvind Nandan, Managing Director (Research and Consulting) at Savills India.
With Hyderabad’s rapid ascent in the GCC landscape, the city exemplifies how Indian hubs are moving beyond cost arbitrage to become centers of innovation and technological advancement.
The outsourcing industry is witnessing a strategic shift, with real estate and talent ecosystems increasingly leveraged to drive R&D and high-value operations. For global companies, Hyderabad now represents not just a location choice but a platform for scaling innovation, particularly in healthcare and pharma, positioning the city as a model for GCC-led growth in India.
