November 7, 2025: Hyderabad is stepping into a new role, as a go to tech hub, as a strategic command center for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India. According to a recent report by Quess Corp, the city has emerged as the fastest-growing destination for GCC leadership roles, registering a 42% year-on-year spike in requisitions and commanding a talent premium of 6–8%.
The report, India’s GCC-IT Talent Trends 2025: New Entrants Shaping India’s Capability Evolution, reveals a sharp concentration of leadership density in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, which together account for nearly 70% of all GCC leadership positions nationwide. While Bengaluru continues to lead in overall talent volume, Hyderabad is gaining ground rapidly, driven by its cost-efficiency, infrastructure maturity, and evolving leadership ecosystem.
The study also highlights a broader shift in India’s GCC landscape, from scaling operations to building specialized capabilities. Nearly half of new mandates now focus on AI, data platforms, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity, areas demanding high-skill talent and strategic oversight.
Hyderabad Commands 6–8% Premium in GCC Leadership Talent Market
Other cities are carving out niche roles in this transformation. Chennai has become the go-to location for finance, risk, and compliance functions, boasting a retention rate of 94%, the highest among Tier I cities. Pune is strengthening its position in analytics and QA, while Tier II cities like Kochi, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, and Indore are being tapped as secondary execution hubs once governance models stabilize.
However, the report flags a growing concern: acute skill shortages in emerging technologies. Roles in generative AI and LLM engineering show a 50% gap, while FinOps, Zero Trust security, Kubernetes, and Terraform skills face deficits ranging from 38–45%. These shortages are most pronounced in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, impacting project timelines and execution velocity.
Hiring metrics are also under pressure. The median time to fill critical roles now ranges between 90 and 120 days, with offer-to-join ratios hovering around 68–72%. These figures are becoming central to GCC design strategies, reflecting a shift toward outcome-driven staffing models.
“India’s GCCs are no longer just about scale, they’re about strategic capability,” said Kapil Joshi, CEO of IT Staffing at Quess Corp. “Hyderabad and Bengaluru are leading this evolution, anchoring leadership and innovation while the rest of the country builds execution depth.”
As enterprises recalibrate their global strategies, Hyderabad’s ascent signals a broader redefinition of India’s role in the global tech value chain, one that’s increasingly led by capability, not just capacity.
