Global capability centres (GCCs) in India recorded a 5–7 per cent increase in hiring during the second quarter of FY26, with demand concentrated in high-skill roles rather than broad workforce expansion, according to staffing firm Quess Corp.

In its report India’s GCC Tech Talent Landscape: Q2 FY26, Quess said the increase was measured on a quarter-on-quarter basis, underscoring a shift from headcount growth to capability-building. Most hiring demand stemmed from artificial intelligence and data, platform engineering, cloud and FinOps, and cybersecurity.

Growth was led by sectors such as banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), manufacturing, automotive, energy, technology and hardware. Within BFSI, AI-enabled credit and risk operations were driving hiring, while manufacturing saw demand in electric vehicle and smart-factory programmes. Technology and hardware hiring was centred on semiconductor and embedded AI development.

“India’s GCC evolution is entering its most strategic phase yet, one defined by precision, not proliferation,” said Kapil Joshi, CEO – IT Staffing, Quess Corp. “Q2 reflected a measured 5–7% QoQ hiring growth, highlighting a shift from scale to capability-led maturity.”

Quess noted critical talent shortages in AI and data (41%), platform engineering (39%), cloud and infrastructure (25%) and cybersecurity (18%). These gaps are extending hiring cycles, especially for mid-senior roles outside Tier-1 cities. The report said long-term workforce development through targeted skilling and cohort-based programmes offers more stability than short-term wage adjustments.

Bengaluru accounted for the largest share of GCC hiring in Q2 at 26 per cent, followed by Hyderabad at 22 per cent, Pune at 15 per cent and Chennai at 12 per cent. Bengaluru led in advanced AI and FinOps roles, while Hyderabad gained traction in multi-cloud integration and data reliability. Pune and Chennai reported steady demand in automotive software, platform migration and intelligent quality assurance.

The report highlighted that higher H-1B visa fees in the United States are prompting multinational firms to allocate more high-value work to their Indian GCCs. Areas such as AI, R&D, data and cybersecurity are expected to benefit, further consolidating India’s role as a global delivery hub.

Quess said this reallocation is likely to accelerate capability expansion and create additional job opportunities in the coming quarters, strengthening India’s position within the global technology ecosystem.

Source : https://www.peoplematters.in/news/economy-policy/ai-cloud-and-cybersecurity-drive-5-7percent-hiring-rise-in-india-gccs-46865