**Title:** Shift in GCC Hiring Trends: Preference for Internal Talent
**Meta Description:** Senior executives from GCCs are increasingly preferred as global roles shift to India, highlighting a trend towards innovation and domain expertise.
**URL Slug:** gcc-hiring-trends-india
**Headline:** Growing Preference for Senior Executives from GCCs as Global Roles Move to India
The landscape of hiring within Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India is undergoing a notable transformation. As more global roles from Fortune companies transition to India, there is a marked preference for senior executives sourced from within these GCCs. This shift reflects a growing emphasis on innovation, domain expertise, and a deeper understanding of captive operations.
According to a recent report by Xpheno, a staffing firm based in Pune, over one-third (36%) of executives with more than eight years of experience hired by GCCs in the year ending March 2025 came from rival companies. This figure represents an increase from 28% in the previous year. In contrast, the proportion of middle and senior executives recruited from the IT services sector has decreased from 50% to 40% during the same period. The remaining hires were primarily from IT product firms and startups, as indicated by a study of the top 120 GCCs in India, which collectively employ approximately 1.35 million individuals—over three-quarters of the total workforce in these centres.
The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) reports that there are currently 6,500 global roles in India across 1,760 GCCs, with projections suggesting this number could increase nearly fivefold to 30,000 within the next five years.
Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno, notes that GCCs are increasingly seeking talent with a background in innovative work rather than those focused solely on transactional services. “Some GCCs have developed leaders who have successfully driven transformations, which has led to a rise in hiring from peer GCCs,” he explains. He further emphasizes that the cultural and operational mandates of both established and new GCCs have shifted towards transformation and innovation, making leaders from these environments a better fit for their evolving needs.
GCCs serve as back-end offices for major international companies, including Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Boeing, and Walmart, managing functions related to IT, sales, human resources, marketing, and supply chain management. Bengaluru is home to over 875 of these centres, while Hyderabad hosts around 355, with additional centres located in cities like Delhi NCR, Pune, and Chennai. Nasscom anticipates that the number of Indian GCCs will reach 2,200 by March.
In conclusion, the hiring trends within GCCs are shifting towards a preference for internal talent, reflecting a broader move towards innovation and transformation in the industry. This evolution not only highlights the growing importance of GCCs in the global business landscape but also underscores the need for companies to adapt their hiring strategies to meet the demands of a rapidly changing market.
**FAQ:**
**Q: Why are GCCs increasingly hiring from within their ranks?**
A: GCCs are focusing on innovation and transformation, leading to a preference for executives with relevant experience and a deep understanding of their operational culture.
