Hiring in India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) increased by 4–6% quarter-on-quarter in Q3 FY2026, despite facing skill shortages in areas like AI and platform engineering, as per a recent report by Quess Corp. The report highlighted that India currently hosts around 1,850–1,900 active GCCs with an anticipated workforce of almost 2.5 million professionals. Companies are now focusing on developing more specialized capabilities rather than large-scale recruitment efforts.
The report emphasized a significant widening of skill shortages in crucial technology domains. Shortages have surged to 43% in AI, Data, and Analytics roles, and 38% in Platform Engineering. There is a high demand for expertise in areas such as GenAI engineering, MLOps pipelines, AI observability, Terraform, Kubernetes, FinOps automation, and Zero-Trust cybersecurity.
Notably, mid- to senior-level hiring processes are particularly impacted, with companies finding it challenging to locate experienced professionals in emerging tech fields. GCCs are now prioritizing specialized functions over rapid headcount expansion, signaling a shift towards precision over volume in their hiring strategies.
Kapil Joshi, CEO of Quess IT Staffing, stressed the urgent need for faster upskilling and enhanced talent mobility, citing supply gaps ranging from 18% to 43% in AI/ML Ops, platform engineering, cybersecurity, and GenAI operations. As GCCs transition from extensive growth to capability enhancement, the focus is on cultivating workforces that can balance innovation, speed, and resilience.
The report also highlighted the emergence of Tier-2 cities like Coimbatore, Kochi, and Ahmedabad as cost-effective alternative hubs. These cities now host around 9–10% of GCCs, although the depth of mid- and senior-level talent in Tier-2 cities still trails behind more established Tier-1 markets.
