India’s rapid expansion as a global hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) is reshaping the country’s office market, with flexible workspaces increasingly emerging as the preferred starting point for multinational companies.
As global enterprises accelerate their India strategies, flexibility, speed and cost efficiency are taking precedence over traditional long-term office leases. This shift is driving strong demand for managed and flexible office solutions, particularly among new and expanding GCCs.
India strengthens its position as a GCC powerhouse
India is currently home to over 1,700 Global Capability Centres, supporting global operations across technology, engineering, financial services, analytics and research. Over the years, GCCs have evolved from back-office units into high-value centres responsible for innovation, digital transformation and core business functions.
Industry estimates indicate that the number of GCCs in India could cross 2,500 by 2030, with steady growth in both headcount and scope of work. This expansion is expected to make GCCs one of the largest contributors to office space demand in the country over the next decade.
Why flexible offices are gaining traction with GCCs
Flexible offices are becoming a natural fit for GCC requirements. For companies entering India or expanding teams in phases, these spaces offer faster setup timelines, lower upfront costs and the ability to scale operations without long-term real estate commitments.
Unlike conventional leases that often require significant capital investment and multi-year lock-ins, flexible workspaces allow GCCs to respond quickly to evolving business mandates and workforce needs — a critical advantage in today’s dynamic global environment.
For many organisations, flex offices serve as an entry gateway, with the option to move into larger, customised offices once operations mature.
From coworking to enterprise-ready workspaces
The flexible workspace sector has matured significantly in recent years. Operators now offer enterprise-grade, managed office solutions designed specifically for GCCs, including secure IT infrastructure, compliance-ready environments, customised layouts and on-ground operational support.
This evolution has positioned flexible workspace providers as strategic partners in the GCC setup process, especially for multinational firms navigating local regulations, talent onboarding and infrastructure planning.
Top cities lead as new markets emerge
India’s leading GCC destinations — Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Delhi-NCR — continue to attract the bulk of new centres and expansions, supported by deep talent pools and strong ecosystems.
At the same time, rising costs and talent competition in Tier I cities are encouraging companies to explore select Tier II markets. Flexible workspace operators are playing a key role in enabling this expansion by offering ready infrastructure in emerging locations.
Outlook: flexible offices set to play a larger role
With GCCs expected to remain a major growth engine for India’s commercial real estate sector, flexible workspaces are likely to capture a growing share of enterprise demand. Their ability to support hybrid work models, phased scaling and faster market entry makes them particularly well-suited to the evolving GCC landscape.
As India continues to strengthen its position as a global capability centre hub, the convergence of GCC growth and flexible office adoption is set to become a defining trend in the country’s office market.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
