Talent shortages are emerging as a strategic risk for India’s global capability centre (GCC) sector, with 11% of GCC leaders saying their global headquarters are actively evaluating or shifting mandates to competing geographies, according to a PwC India-FICCI study.The report, based on a survey of 200 senior GCC executives across eight industries, found that skill shortages are already affecting business operations, while GCCs are taking on increasingly strategic roles for their global organisations.Nearly six in 10 GCCs (59%) reported delays in product launches, project timelines or go-to-market plans because of talent gaps.Another 54% said shortages were limiting their ability to scale artificial intelligence and digital transformation programmes.
Rising costs, employee pressure add to GCC talent challenge
The shortage is also increasing operating costs and putting greater pressure on existing employees.About 56% of GCCs reported greater reliance on external vendors or contractors at higher costs, while 49% said skilled employees were experiencing higher attrition because of increased workloads.Another 45% of GCCs reported wage inflation significantly exceeding their budget projections.The challenge comes as India’s GCCs are moving beyond traditional execution-focused roles. More than 85% of GCCs expect their operating mandates to expand by 2030, including greater technology leadership, strategic ownership and additional capabilities. One in five is targeting global profit-and-loss responsibility.“India’s leadership in the global GCC landscape cannot be taken for granted,” the report said, noting that other countries are strengthening their talent ecosystems and competing for the same high-value mandates.
GCCs seek bigger investment in AI-ready talent
According to news agency ANI, the study found that 80% of GCCs believe decisive action is needed within the next 12 months to strengthen capabilities across workforce, managerial and leadership levels.Talent investment budgets, which are typically around 3% of operating budgets, may need to double to at least 6% to build capabilities suited to the AI era. About 94% of GCC leaders said they need to invest at least 6%, while 27% expect their investment to exceed 8%.The report identified industry-designed GCC-ready certification standards as the most widely supported intervention, backed by 53% of respondents.AI centres of excellence and AI-powered learning platforms followed at 51%, while 48% supported cross-GCC executive AI leadership academies.The report said GCCs that develop AI-ready leaders, composite-skilled workforces and stronger talent ecosystems could move beyond being centres of execution to becoming centres of influence, with a greater role in innovation and global business strategy.