Gujarat Global Capability Centres – Beyond IFSC: Building a Future-Ready GCC Ecosystem

Introduction: Gujarat’s Next Big Leap in the GCC Story

Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are no longer back-office cost centres — they are strategic hubs of innovation and enterprise transformation. By centralising global functions, GCCs now deliver advanced services in technology, finance, engineering, analytics, and R&D, enabling multinational corporations to scale faster and smarter.

India leads this evolution with over 1,700 GCCs and is expected to surpass 2,500 by 2030, employing more than 3.3 million professionals. While Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have established dominance, Gujarat is now stepping into the spotlight.

With its new GCC Policy 2025–30, Gujarat aims to become a premier hub for high-value GCCs, complementing the success of GIFT IFSC while unlocking broader state-wide opportunities.

Gujarat GCC Policy 2025–30: Vision and Objectives

The policy seeks to transform Gujarat into a global GCC destination, aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

• 250 new GCCs to be established.
• ₹10,000 crore investment to be attracted.
• 50,000+ jobs to be created.
• Focus on R&D, AI-driven services, and digital transformation.
• Integration of academia and industry to build a future-ready workforce.

Incentives under Gujarat GCC Policy

One of Gujarat’s strongest differentiators is its comprehensive incentive framework, which directly lowers set-up costs, operational expenditure, and talent acquisition challenges.

1. Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Incentives

• Standard Units (< ₹250 Cr investment)
  • 20% subsidy on building and infrastructure investment.
  • 30% subsidy on IT-related assets (computers, software, networking).
  • Maximum support: ₹50 crore, disbursed in 20 quarterly instalments.
• Mega Projects (≥ ₹250 Cr or 500+ jobs)
  • 20% subsidy on building and infrastructure investment.
  • 30% subsidy on IT-related assets.
  • Maximum support: ₹200 crore, disbursed in instalments.

Note: CAPEX assistance is capped at ₹3,000 per sq. ft. and linked to the number of employees (60 sq. ft. per employee). This ensures practical scaling linked to real workforce deployment.

2. Operational Expenditure (OPEX) Incentives

• Up to 15% reimbursement of eligible OPEX for five years.
• Capped at ₹20 crore annually for smaller units and ₹40 crore annually for mega projects.
• Eligible expenses include:
  • Lease rentals (up to ₹50/sq. ft. per month).
  • Bandwidth and cloud rentals (capped at 35% of OPEX).
  • Power tariffs.
  • Cloud subscriptions from registered Indian providers.
  • Patent filing expenses (up to ₹10 lakh per patent, 10 patents/year).

3. Employment Generation Incentives

• ₹50,000 per male employee and ₹60,000 per female employee (one-time, after 1 year of employment).
• EPF Reimbursement for 5 years:
  • 100% for female employees.
  • 75% for male employees.

This not only reduces the cost of hiring but also encourages gender diversity in GCC hiring.

4. Interest Assistance

• 7% subsidy on interest paid on term loans.
• Capped at ₹1 crore annually for 5 years.
• Loans must be from RBI-approved financial institutions and linked to eligible GCC projects.

5. Electricity Duty Waiver

• 100% reimbursement of electricity duty for five years.
• Enhances cost efficiency for large-scale, high-consumption GCCs such as data centres and AI-led operations.

6. Skilling & Talent Development

• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) up to ₹50,000 per person for globally recognised training or certifications.
• 75% of course fees reimbursed for students and 50% for working professionals.
• Designed to create a steady pipeline of future-ready professionals for GCCs.

7. Quality & Innovation Support

• 80% reimbursement of quality certification costs (up to ₹10 lakh, five certifications per unit).
• Patent assistance to encourage IP creation within GCCs.
• GCCs supporting start-ups through incubation and acceleration also enjoy benefits under Gujarat’s IT/ITES Policy 2022–27.

In sum: Gujarat’s incentives directly address the three biggest questions for any global board evaluating a GCC location — set-up costs, operational efficiency, and talent sustainability.

Why Gujarat is Attractive for GCCs (Beyond IFSC)

Strong Economic Base

• Gujarat contributes 8.3% of India’s GDP, 18% of industrial output, and 31% of exports.
• Leads in petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and engineering.

Infrastructure Readiness

• 200+ industrial estates and 100+ private parks.
• Dedicated investment regions (Dholera, Dahej, Mandal Becharaji).
• Robust urban infrastructure with metro, ports, and expressways.

Talent Pool

• 32,000+ IT graduates annually.
• Academic powerhouses like IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Gandhinagar, DA-IICT, PDEU, Nirma University.
• Tier-2 cities such as Vadodara and Surat offering a new wave of skilled professionals.

Business Environment

• Among the safest and most business-friendly states in India.
• Progressive governance, quick decision-making, and reduced bureaucratic friction.

Emerging GCC Hotspots

• Ahmedabad and Vadodara are already home to IT, engineering, and finance GCCs.
• New policy incentives expected to significantly increase this footprint.

Sectoral Opportunities for GCCs in Gujarat

• Banking & Financial Services – Shared services for compliance, analytics, and operations.
• Engineering R&D – Automotive, chemicals, industrial innovation hubs.
• Technology & AI – Cloud services, digital platforms, cybersecurity, data centres.
• Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences – R&D centres supporting Gujarat’s pharma strength.
• Consumer & E-commerce – Supply chain and digital back-office solutions.

How Nexpective Advisors Helps

At Nexpective Advisors, we support multinational corporations in leveraging Gujarat’s GCC ecosystem — from incentive advisory and structuring to regulatory compliance, tax planning, and Virtual CFO support. With offices in Vadodara and GIFT IFSC, we provide seamless on-ground execution.

Conclusion: Gujarat – The Next GCC Frontier

The Gujarat GCC Policy 2025–30 is a transformative step that makes the state one of India’s most attractive GCC destinations. By combining incentives, infrastructure, and talent, Gujarat positions itself as the next frontier for global enterprises. For early movers, the opportunity is clear: enter now, scale with policy support, and shape the future of global operations from Gujarat.