India’s GCCs Face major Gender Pay Gap: Study
30 APR 2025 / 01 min read
India’s rapidly growing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) sector is grappling with a substantial gender pay gap, with women earning up to 16.4% less than their male counterparts, according to a recent study by TeamLease.
India’s rapidly growing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) sector is grappling with a substantial gender pay gap, with women earning up to 16.4% less than their male counterparts, according to a recent study by TeamLease.
The pay disparity is particularly pronounced in senior and technical roles, where women face significant obstacles to career advancement. In the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) segment, women earn an average of 26.3% less than men, with the gap widening to 23.8% at senior levels, the New Indian Express reported citing the study.
The study highlights the challenges faced by women in GCCs, despite the sector’s growth and increasing demand for talent. While GCCs have made progress in promoting women to mid and senior-level roles, with the percentage of women in mid-levels growing from 12.12% in 2023 to 13.68% in 2024, and senior levels witnessing a growth from 8.14% in 2023 to 13.60% in 2024, the pay gap remains a significant issue.
The pay gap varies across sectors, with Lifesciences and Healthcare GCCs showing a staggering 29.5% pay gap, and a 23.5% disparity at senior levels. In contrast, tech GCCs fare slightly better, with an overall pay gap of 19%.
Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital, emphasized the need for organizations to address the systemic challenge of gender pay equity. “The GCC ecosystem in India presents a powerful opportunity to drive change and inclusivity”, she said. “While the sector has made considerable progress in elevating women into meaningful roles, the gender pay gap reveals a deeper systemic challenge. Now, it is time for organizations to ensure equity in growth, compensation, and leadership visibility”.
The study’s findings highlight the need for GCCs to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to address the pay gap and promote women’s career advancement. As the GCC sector continues to grow and play a critical role in India’s economy, addressing these challenges will be crucial to ensuring equal opportunities for all employees.
