‘India’s GCCs Face Talent Crunch, Must Adapt to Stay Competitive’
30 May 2025 / 01 min read
India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are facing a talent shortage that could hinder their growth, according to Pushkaraj Bidwai, CEO of People Matters. Speaking at the People Matters GCC Talent Summit 2025, Bidwai said that 9 out of 10 GCC leaders believe that talent supply will fall short of demand by 2030. This comes as the GCC ecosystem is expected to grow to over 2,400 centres by the end of the decade.
"The pipeline exists—but it's leaking everywhere," Bidwai warned. "The roles we're hiring for are not the roles that will matter in 2028. Our planning is behind, and we have to change that now."
Bidwai emphasized the need for GCCs to adopt AI-powered hiring systems, citing that 47% of talent leaders are already using AI tools for sourcing, assessment, and scheduling. He also highlighted the importance of skilling and reskilling, pointing to Walmart's AI-driven learning systems that reduced training time by 37% across its workforce.
Among the most sought-after capabilities in GCCs is AI and machine learning, with 59% of GCCs ranking it as a top priority. Bidwai noted that the demand for AI talent is being driven not just by tech companies but also by financial services firms.
To stay competitive, Bidwai advised GCC leaders to focus on building talent density, rather than just scaling up their workforce. He also emphasized the importance of impact-based recognition systems that reward outcomes, not just effort.
Bidwai outlined three strategic imperatives for GCC leaders: scaling digital infrastructure, rethinking learning networks, and operationalizing analytics across the talent lifecycle.
"GCCs that build talent density now will define 2025," Bidwai said. "The speed of change will not slow down. And the organisations that lead this shift—who think bold, hire smart, and move fast—will define India's next phase of global leadership."
