Pune: The availability of robust office spaces and a pool of tech talent has led to a surge in global capabilities centres (GCCs) in Pune, with the city witnessing 135 companies setting up their offices since 2024, according to a joint report by KPMG in India, the American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM), and research firm UnearthIQ.
Growth Trends in GCCs
In the past three years, the maximum growth in GCCs in Pune was observed in FY25, with 62 companies opening their offices. This was followed by 48 companies in FY24 and 25 companies so far this year. Pune now has over 500 GCCs, cornering around 14% of the total influx coming into the country. Of these 500 GCCs, over 270 companies are headquartered in the United States. The total number of GCCs in Pune is expected to grow to up to 680 by FY30.
Employment and Talent
These 500 units currently employ 2.2 lakh tech professionals in the city. The top 10 GCCs in Pune account for up to 46,000 employees, as per the report. GCCs in Pune are benefiting from talent coming from Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Kolhapur, as well as lower cost of business and attrition compared to other cities.
“With its strong talent, infrastructure, and innovation, Pune offers a unique opportunity to go beyond execution and build centres that deliver enterprise-wide value and transformation for global organisations,” said Shalini Pillay, partner and India leader for GCCs at KPMG in India.
“Over the past two decades, the model has evolved from cost arbitrage-driven back office operations to critical hubs. At the heart of this transformation is a shift in talent strategy. Organisations are now prioritising professionals who combine deep expertise in technology with a broad understanding of business contexts,” said Smitha Hemmigae, managing director at ANSR.
Challenges Faced by Pune
The report also highlights some of the challenges that Pune faces for the growth of this sector. The most prominent issue is the lack of last-mile connectivity, particularly the unfinished metro line from Shivajinagar to Hinjewadi. Additionally, the lack of airport connectivity with major global destinations poses a problem for foreign delegates.
Pune also faces a perception risk, as it is mostly viewed as an engineering and manufacturing hub rather than an innovation city. It also has fewer roadshows, centres of excellence, and GCC summits compared to other major cities.
