India is the second-largest data centre market in the Asia-Pacific region, boasting 1.6 GW of operational capacity and ranking among the top three markets with 3.1 GW under construction and planned. This growth is fueled by accelerating AI adoption, hyperscale cloud expansion, and increasing enterprise demand, according to a recent report. The country’s data centre ecosystem spans major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Pune, and Bengaluru, positioning India as a key player in global data infrastructure markets.
“The global data centre sector is transitioning towards a phase where power access, infrastructure readiness, and delivery capability are as crucial as demand itself,” stated Gautam Saraf, Executive Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield. India’s strategic advantages include strong demand visibility, expanding development pipeline, and a diverse multi-market ecosystem across primary and emerging locations. Markets that can offer scalable deployment, reliable infrastructure, and quick execution timelines are expected to gain momentum in the long run.
Mumbai stands out as a primary market in Asia Pacific, set to surpass 1 GW of operational capacity by 2026, driving regional expansion. Secondary markets like Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi NCR, and Pune are witnessing increased investment and development activities, supporting the overall growth. Hyderabad, notably, is recognized as the top secondary market in Asia Pacific and ninth globally, solidifying its importance in the data centre sector. Bengaluru, on the other hand, is classified as a tertiary data centre market within the regional landscape.
India’s growth trajectory is further bolstered by its substantial long-term expansion pipeline, with over 10.5 GW of capacity in the planning stage. This reflects the country’s significant potential for future development as operators secure sites and gear up to meet sustained demand.
