GCC Ecosystem Poised for Next Growth Phase
India's Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem is set for significant expansion as closer ties between industry, academia, and government strengthen the talent pipeline and innovation capabilities, senior government officials announced on Thursday. Speaking at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event, officials highlighted the sector's evolution from back-office operations to a global hub for research, design, and high-value innovation, aligning with the government's Viksit Bharat vision.
GCCs as Pillar of Indian Economy
Ajoy Sharma, Additional Secretary and Director General (Employment) at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, described GCCs as a very important pillar of the Indian economy. He noted that GCCs have witnessed significant growth and are heading toward a larger transformation. While earlier GCCs were seen as cost-effective back-office operations, today they are engaged in high-end research and design work.
"This is the time when academia, industry and government must come together so that we can provide that kind of ecosystem, that kind of talent to the GCCs so that we can be actually world leaders in that," Sharma said.
Aligning with Viksit Bharat Vision
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Viksit Bharat vision, Sharma said attracting investments from countries such as Australia is both a result of and a step toward achieving that goal. Initiatives such as career lounges, apprenticeship programmes, and internship schemes are being developed as part of a larger talent ecosystem to support GCC growth.
Industry-Academia Collaboration
Anandrao Patil, Additional Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, said GCCs are emerging as a major platform for industry-academia collaboration. He stressed that under the National Apprenticeship Programme, the government is working together with the industry to equip youth with new skills. The GCC industry will help education institutions achieve proper collaboration and focused research.
