India’s GCCs Could Add Up to 1.4 Million Jobs by 2031: Embark Report

India’s global capability centres could add between one million and 1.4 million net jobs by 2031, according to a new Embark report. The study expects employment to rise from about 2.3 million today to 3.3–3.7 million.

The expansion could create demand for 150–170 million square feet of additional office space. Embark said artificial intelligence will change workforce composition and the type of workplaces companies need, but it is unlikely to stop overall growth.

The report, India GCCs in the AI Era: Implications for Workforce Growth and Office Demand, draws on a survey of 100 GCC leaders, executive interviews and market data.

AI adoption ahead of measurable value

Ninety-two per cent of surveyed leaders have moved beyond selective AI adoption. However, realised productivity gains remain below 15%. Data readiness, workflow redesign, governance, employee preparation and reliable measurement continue to limit wider deployment.

AI could reduce demand for some routine positions through automation, slower replacement hiring and role consolidation. Embark estimates this effect at 400,000–500,000 roles. It expects expansion of existing mandates, new GCCs and AI-related jobs to more than offset that reduction.

Existing centres and new setups could together add 1.2–1.5 million positions, while AI-led roles could add around 300,000. Mature GCCs are expected to generate about 80% of incremental hiring.

Demand shifts towards specialist skills

Future hiring is expected to focus on AI, data, platform engineering, cybersecurity, solution architecture, governance, observability and industry expertise. India’s AI-specialist talent pool could reach 800,000–900,000 by 2031.

Seventy-one per cent of leaders expect their Indian centres to take ownership of broader functions. Fifteen per cent expect global leadership roles to move to India. This suggests that many GCCs are changing from support operations into centres responsible for products, platforms and business outcomes.

Aravind Maiya, chief executive and co-founder of Embark, said India must turn AI adoption into measurable business value. He said the transition will support demand for specialist talent while keeping workforce and office growth on track.

New entrants strengthen the pipeline

Embark identified about 3,144 Global 5000 companies that have not yet opened an Indian GCC but could do so. It forecasts 590–640 new setups by 2031.

Mid-market companies may account for roughly 28% of new centres. Some may begin with “Nano GCCs” of five to 100 specialists. Smaller models reduce the initial capital requirement and allow companies to test operations before creating a larger centre.

Established GCCs will remain the main near-term growth engine. Many are moving from delivery work towards ownership of full functions, products and platforms. Deeper responsibilities can create higher-value jobs and stronger links with global headquarters.

Tier-one cities remain the scale anchors

Around 90% of new setups are expected in tier-one cities. Bengaluru and Hyderabad currently account for 67% of tier-one GCC leasing. Their technology ecosystems, international connections and large talent pools continue to support major operations.

Tier-two and tier-three cities are expected to gain targeted capacity through hub-and-spoke networks. They may attract cost-sensitive work, specialised teams and backup operations. Their success will depend on infrastructure and access to experienced professionals.

Workplaces become purpose-led

Collaboration and shared areas could rise from 27% to 55% of workplace allocation by 2031. Hybrid work, peak attendance and specialist infrastructure are encouraging companies to plan offices around teamwork, innovation, security and complex work rather than a simple seat count.

Banking, financial services and insurance, together with technology, media and telecommunications, could produce about 54% of additional GCC office demand. Retail and consumer-goods centres are expected to be among the fastest-growing by occupied area.

Developers will need to offer expansion options, secure systems, specialist-ready infrastructure and faster operational readiness. Flexible offices may remain attractive for pilots and smaller entries, while larger or regulated operations will often require dedicated premises.

What the forecast means

Embark’s findings describe AI as a force that changes jobs rather than simply removes them. The forecast depends on Indian centres winning deeper mandates, new companies entering the country and the talent market producing enough specialists.

The figures are projections, not confirmed hiring or property commitments. Economic conditions, corporate investment, automation results and talent availability will influence the outcome.

About Embark

Established in 2025, Embark helps global companies establish and expand GCCs in India. It combines strategy, consulting, talent, workplace and operational services, supported by the Embassy Group’s real-estate and infrastructure experience. Embark says its single-partner model is designed to help companies move from planning to operation more quickly. The report argues that successful growth will require coordinated decisions across talent, technology, security and workplace design. Companies will also need to measure AI results carefully so investment decisions are based on business outcomes rather than adoption numbers alone. These factors will determine how closely the market follows the headline forecast through 2031.

Reading the hiring and property forecasts together

The report links employment growth with office demand, but the two measures should not be treated as interchangeable. An additional employee does not necessarily require a permanently assigned desk, particularly where attendance patterns vary. Equally, a smaller specialist team may need secure or technically equipped space that cannot be assessed through headcount alone. Companies planning a centre will need to consider the work being performed, the team structure and expected use of the workplace.

The difference between gross additions and net growth is also central to the employment outlook. New mandates and AI-related positions can expand the workforce at the same time that automation changes or reduces other roles. The headline forecast describes the combined effect of those movements. It should not be read as a promise that every function, employer or location will grow at the same rate.

For students and experienced professionals, the report points to a changing mix of opportunities rather than a single hiring path. Technical expertise, industry knowledge and the ability to work across global teams may become relevant in different combinations. The survey findings reflect leaders’ expectations, while actual recruitment will depend on approved projects and business requirements. Tracking subsequent hiring, centre launches and leasing activity will help show whether the projected direction is translating into realised expansion.