Over the past two decades, Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India have undergone a remarkable transformation. Once viewed primarily as cost-effective operational outposts—often referred to as captives or shared services—GCCs have rapidly evolved into strategic innovation engines for global enterprises. This shift is not just a matter of scale, but of ambition and impact. Today, GCCs are at the forefront of digital business transformation, driving AI-first strategies, and serving as critical nodes in the global innovation ecosystem.
The explosive growth of GCCs in India in recent years marks an inflection point. What began as a pursuit of operational efficiency—leveraging India’s talent pool for cost savings—has matured into a model where GCCs are expected to deliver transformative value. Organizations are no longer satisfied with simply “getting skills and making them cheap.” The new ambition is to unlock strategic value: driving innovation, embedding AI at the core of business, and creating differentiated capabilities that fuel global competitiveness.
This evolution is fueled by several factors:
As digital business transformation becomes existential for organizations worldwide, GCCs in India are playing a pivotal role in enabling this shift. The move toward AI-first strategies is particularly pronounced. Enterprises are looking to their India centers not just for delivery, but for leadership in:
The next generation of GCCs is defined by three critical success factors:
India is no longer just a source of affordable talent—it is a source of the best talent. The ability to rapidly scale teams with deep expertise in AI, engineering, and digital product development is a unique advantage. Moreover, the diversity of experience—across industries, technologies, and business models—means that teams in India are equipped to tackle the most complex challenges facing global enterprises.
The days of GCCs as remote, execution-only centers are over. Today’s leading GCCs are deeply integrated with global leadership, with senior leaders in India participating in strategic decision-making and innovation. This integration ensures that India-based teams are not just delivery partners, but co-creators of business and technology strategy.
Innovation does not happen in isolation. The most impactful GCCs operate as part of a broader ecosystem—collaborating with global teams, local startups, technology partners, and even competitors. This ecosystem approach accelerates learning, fosters cross-industry innovation, and ensures that GCCs remain at the cutting edge of technology and business.
Publicis Sapient has been at the heart of this evolution. With a deep and growing presence in India, Publicis Sapient partners with global enterprises to unlock the full potential of their GCCs—not just as delivery engines, but as strategic, AI-led innovation hubs. Our approach is grounded in:
The value proposition of India to the global enterprise is changing. GCCs are no longer just about cost—they are about scale, sophistication, and strategic impact. As organizations embrace AI-first, digital business transformation, the role of GCCs will only grow in importance. The future belongs to those who can harness the full power of India’s talent, leadership, and ecosystem to drive innovation at global scale.
At Publicis Sapient, we are proud to be a partner in this journey—helping clients reimagine their GCCs as engines of transformation, and shaping the future of digital business from India to the world.