GCC 4.0 is expected to create 4.25–4.5 lakh new jobs this year, with 35 per cent of GCCs eyeing 50-100 per cent workforce expansion, says, ‘India’s Talent Takeoff-The GCC 4.0 story’ report by NLB Services, a leading global technology and digital talent solutions provider. The report is an in-depth analysis of hiring trends in the GCC segment for CY2025 and the outlook till CY2030. The report states that fuelled by its vast skilled workforce and supportive policies, India has emerged as the top GCC destination, and GCCs are expected to generate 1 million jobs in the next six years. Overall the sector is expected to employ 3.3 million professionals by CY2030. Diving further into the GCC paradigm, the report spotlights the rising demand for entry level talent across GCCs, especially across skills like Customer Experience and Support Services (17 per cent), Cyber security and Data Protection (17 per cent), Digital Transformation and Automation (14 per cent). GCCs across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune and Chennai are poised to drive the demand for freshers in the sector. Signalling commitment to future-ready workforces and equipping youth for next-gen innovation, 42 per cent of GCCs are likely to bolster their workforce with a significant 50 per cent surge by CY2030.Moreover, reinforcing their commitment to inclusivity, 61 per cent of India Inc. GCCs anticipate over 50 per cent increase in women hires by CY2030; highlighting a sharp rise from the 7 per cent expecting similar women workforce expansion this year. In this year, Bengaluru is expected to lead (17 per cent of GCCs – over 50 per cent increase), while Hyderabad will remain modest (69 per cent of GCCs – up to 20 per cent increase), and Delhi will likely witness hiring freeze (28 per cent of GCCs - indicating no change/decrease). However, by CY2030, the report estimates Delhi to transition into the front runner (77 per cent of GCCs - over 50 per cent increase), followed by Pune (42 per cent of GCCs - over 50 per cent increase); as Bengaluru (65 per cent) and Chennai (72 per cent) show steady momentum reflecting robust long-term diversity strategies.Sharing his views, Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services said, “India’s position as a global GCC hub continues to strengthen, with the number of centres expected to grow to 2,100+ by 2030, driving a market size nearing $100 billion. As we are gearing up for GCC 4.0, workforce synergies will be of utmost priority. The ‘India’s Talent Take off-The GCC 4.0 story’ report offers a comprehensive outlook on the Indian GCC hiring ecosystem and it is interesting to note the evolution of GCCs beyond core tech. However, as hiring in India’s GCCs increases across functions like tech, finance, manufacturing, and sustainability, the need for critical high-demand skills like Financial Services (79 per cent) will lead the way. Marketing & Digital advertising (73 per cent) will also be a priority as businesses adopt a digital-first approach. Additionally, Industry 4.0 transformation will continue to bolster the demand for Engineering & Manufacturing (69 per cent), while Human Resource & Talent Management (68 per cent) will remain essential as companies look to scale operations, attract niche talent, and build strategic leadership pipelines.”“Over the last three years, India has also witnessed the emergence of new GCC hubs, and GCCs are fast outpacing IT Services in job creation. The recent introduction of the national framework in FY26 budget will further propel GCC growth across Tier II and Tier III locations, and the demand for niche skills will continue to rise”, added Alug.Deep diving into geographies and skills, NLB’s report findings indicate that Bengaluru is likely to lead India's GCC hubs with 27 per cent hiring growth, significantly impacting the IT and R&D ecosystem due to rising demand for AI, Data Science, and Cloud Computing professionals. Following closely, Mumbai is set for 23 per cent growth, driven by financial services and consulting sectors. Chennai ranks third at 19 per cent forecast, supported by its strengths in engineering and manufacturing. Meanwhile, Hyderabad is eyeing an 11 per cent increase in hiring within technology and life sciences. Delhi and Pune both eye 10 per cent growth, with Delhi thriving in professional services and Pune excelling in automotive and digital transformation sectors.“The battle for top talent is no longer a level playing field, GCCs are taking the lead. With 72 per cent of leaders acknowledging their advantage over IT services, it’s clear that these organizations are reshaping the career landscape. Offering competitive salaries, global opportunities, and a focus on AI, automation, and digital transformation, GCCs are setting new standards for skilled professionals.” added Varun Sachdeva, SVP & APAC Head at NLB Services.The report further indicates GCCs are not only offering higher salaries but also investing in specialised talent to drive global innovation. As GCCs compete for top talent, their premium compensation strategy is distinguishing them from traditional IT sectors. The primary driver of this premium is the demand for niche skills (39 per cent) such as AI, cloud computing, and advanced analytics.A majority (66 per cent) believe GCCs offer higher salaries due to the need for data science, AI, and automation expertise, along with global exposure and faster career advancement. While 18 per cent favour IT Services and 16 per cent eye both sectors as equally competitive, GCCs are expected to be top payers in Hyderabad (19 per cent) and Mumbai (19 per cent), particularly in IT Software & Consulting and Banking/Financial Services. Delhi/NCR (21 per cent) and Bengaluru (24 per cent) will also remain competitive, especially in Telecom & Internet Services.India has solidified its status as a leading GCC hub. As anticipation builds, the number of GCCs is projected to reach 2,100 by 2030, with a market size approaching US $100 billion. This growth reflects India's evolving landscape, driven by demand for innovation and skilled talent. In fact, 56 per cent of GCC leaders feel that the segment is going to elevate itself as innovation hubs, thus setting the stage for unprecedented opportunities in the next 6 years. Image source: Ai generated