Archives February 2026

New Delhi, Feb 17: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) today released FiMI (Finance Model for India), a domain-specific language model built for India’s payments ecosystem, at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Developed in-house by NPCI, FiMI currently powers NPCI’s UPI Help Assistant and is designed to address limitations observed in general-purpose large language models when applied to high-scale, high-trust payment workflows.

FiMI has been built to natively understand the complexity of Indian payment systems, including UPI, covering transaction dispute handling, mandate lifecycle management, and regulatory and ecosystem queries. The model went through continuous pre-training and was further fine-tuned on Indian financial and synthetically generated payments data, enabling accurate reasoning, structured tool invocation, and robust multilingual support. This payments-native design allows FiMI to operate reliably in real-world, high-volume transaction environments where accuracy, consistency, and trust are critical.

FiMI is already deployed at a national scale through NPCI’s UPI Help Assistant launched as pilot initiative, an AI-powered conversational support system for UPI users. This assistant leverages an agentic AI framework that enables multi-step reasoning to respond to payment related queries, support grievance redressal, and assist with mandate management. The assistant currently supports English, Hindi, Telugu, and Bengali, with additional Indian languages planned to be introduced within the next 6 to 8 months to further expand accessibility.

Having successfully developed and validated FiMI in a production environment, NPCI has released a detailed technical paper on the arXiv platform outlining the data curation process, training methodology, and evaluation results. This publication reflects NPCI’s role as a public digital infrastructure institution and its commitment to advancing transparent, India-centric, and trustworthy AI for the payments ecosystem.

Through this technical publication, NPCI is sharing key learnings from building and operating AI systems at a national scale, contributing to broader research and enabling informed development of domain-specific AI systems for financial infrastructure.

Commenting on the announcement, Vishal Kanvaty, Chief Technology Officer, NPCI said, “FiMI reflects NPCI’s commitment in developing financial language models purpose-built for India’s payments ecosystem. Having successfully built and validated the model, we are now sharing our technical learnings through a detailed paper to contribute to responsible innovation, while strengthening trust, transparency, and collaboration across the ecosystem.”

Building on FiMI, NPCI is exploring next-generation model architectures, including Mixture-of-Experts, alongside the expansion of multilingual capabilities to cover a wider range of Indian languages. These efforts are currently in the research and experimentation phase and are focused on improving scalability, efficiency, and domain intelligence, while preserving the governance, reliability, and trust requirements essential for national-scale payment systems.

Mumbai, Feb 17: Sterlite Electric, a leading manufacturer of capital goods and a provider of system integration solutions, Resonia Ltd., a power transmission infrastructure development company and Serentica Renewables, a leading renewable energy provider in India have announced the appointment of Sumil Mathur as the Group Chief Financial Officer (Group CFO).

With nearly three decades of leadership experience, Sumil will drive the Group’s financial strategy, governance and capital framework, overseeing risk management and financial transformation to enable sustainable growth and long-term value creation across businesses.

Prior to joining the Group, Sumil served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at EMAAR India Limited where he played a pivotal role in shaping and executing its post demerger strategy. His tenure was marked by strengthened financial and operational discipline, value creation through asset monetisation, and the development of scalable project pipelines aligned with long-term business objectives.

Commenting on the appointment, Pratik Agarwal, Managing Director, Sterlite Electric, and Chairman, Resonia Limited and Serentica Renewables, said, “We are pleased to welcome Sumil Mathur as Group CFO. His deep expertise across financial leadership, governance, and complex transformations will be invaluable as we scale our platforms and reinforce strong foundations to support our growth ambitions.”

Speaking on his appointment, Sumil Mathur said, “I am excited to join the Group at a time when it is playing a critical role in strengthening power infrastructure and accelerating India’s energy transition. I look forward to working closely with the leadership team to enhance financial resilience, enable strategic growth, and create long-term value for all stakeholders.”

Earlier in his career, Sumil has held senior leadership roles with leading organisations including HCL, Indus Towers, Airtel, and JCB, gaining extensive exposure across infrastructure, real estate, telecommunications, and manufacturing. His experience spans across large scale project execution, capital planning, and aligning financial frameworks with operational and strategic priorities.

New Delhi, Feb 17: Panasonic Life Solutions India (PLSIND), a leading diversified technology company, today announced the launch of Co.lab Studio, a strategic startup studio designed to co-create and integrate scalable lifestyle digital services with startups through Panasonic’s AI-powered connected living platform, ‘MirAIe’. The launch marks the next phase of Panasonic’s open innovation journey under IGNITION brand and a new model of engagement with India’s startup ecosystem.

Designed as a business-first incubation and integration program, Co.lab Studio focuses on translating startup innovation into deployable services, bundled offerings, and measurable business outcomes. The program is initially anchored to MirAIe, Panasonic’s AI and IoT-enabled connected living platform that brings appliances, devices, and home solutions into a single intelligent ecosystem, enabling smarter and more personalized consumer experiences.

To operationalize this model, Panasonic has partnered with LINK Innovation as the program’s operating partner. The two organizations will work closely to translate business priorities into startup sourcing, collaborations, pilot execution, and platform integration. Panasonic retains full strategic, platform, and branding ownership of the program under IGNITION, while leveraging LINK Innovation’s expertise in moving enterprise pilots toward deployment.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Hiroshi Saijo, Head of Panasonic Go, Panasonic Holdings Corporation, said, “At Panasonic Go*, one of our missions is to empower people with more choices and an enriched quality of life. This Startup Program, Co.Lab in India is a bold step toward turning that mission into reality. By combining the dynamism of India’s startup ecosystem with Panasonic’s deep technological and business strengths, we will create new forms of value that reach people faster and more impactfully than ever before. Our ambition goes far beyond experimentation. We are building real businesses, solutions that enable people to shape their own lives with greater freedom and possibility. From India to Asia and the world, Panasonic Go will continue driving forward a future filled with diverse options and meaningful innovation.”

Mr. Manish Misra, Chief Innovation Officer, India Innovation Centre (IIC), PLSIND, added, “Panasonic India Innovation Centre was established to solve social and global challenges through technology-led innovation, and MirAIe is one such platform shaping the future of connected living. With Panasonic Go, we are strengthening this ecosystem further through Co.lab Studio by extending our open innovation approach to collaborate with India’s vibrant startup ecosystem to revolutionise peoples’ lives and future lifestyle. Together with Panasonic Go and our program partner LINK Innovation, we aim to co-create scalable solutions and services that address future lifestyle needs while driving sustainability and wellness.” 

Ms. Souad Tenfiche, CEO, LINK Innovation, said, “Co.lab Studio is exciting because it makes co-creation repeatable, grounded in India’s strength: a fast-moving startup ecosystem, strong product and engineering talent, and a market where new solutions can scale quickly. Panasonic brings something equally valuable: a long tradition of trusted quality, Japanese engineering discipline, and a track record of building products people rely on. Bringing these strengths together can help promising ideas become solutions that launch faster and earn customer trust. After ten years in India’s innovation landscape, LINK helps Panasonic work with the right startups, stay focused on business priorities, and deliver outcomes, not just pilots.”

Panasonic’s flagship IGNITION accelerator program is designed to identify high-potential startups for strategic collaboration and, where relevant, corporate venture engagement through a structured annual cycle. However, translating innovation into live business integration often requires a faster, more continuous mode of engagement with mature startups. Co.lab Studio has been established to address this need by enabling agile, outcome-driven collaboration focused on deployment rather than discovery. The program is purpose-built to work with startups where the emphasis is on delivering tangible business results, such as pilots, integrations, and scalable services.

*Panasonic Go is a transformative strategic growth initiative that represents Panasonic’s commitment to innovation in a Software-driven, AI-powered landscape.

Bengaluru, Feb 17th:  Aster Volunteers, the global CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare, has expanded its community outreach footprint with the launch of two state-of-the-art Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and Anekal, Bengaluru, Karnataka. These additions mark the 70th and 71st units in the global fleet of Aster Volunteers Mobile Medical Services and is the 48^th and 49^th unit in India.

In Tirupati, the mobile medical unit was launched in collaboration with Aster Narayanadri Hospital and flagged off by Shri D.S. Venkateswar, I.A.S., Collector & District Magistrate, Tirupati District, in the presence of district officials and healthcare leaders. In Anekal, Bengaluru, Karnataka, the unit was launched in partnership with Centre for Integral Rural Welfare (CIRW), Jnana Jyothi, and flagged off by Rev. Fr Dionysius Vaz, SJ – Provincial Karnataka Jesuit Province, Rev. Fr Arvin Luis, SJ- PDD- Karnataka Jesuit Province and Rev. Fr. Shantaraj Thomas, SJ, Superior of Jnanajyothi, along with the leadership team from Aster DM Healthcare, including Vinod Chandrwal (Head ESG – CSR and Sustainability), Hari Prasad VK (Head of Internal Audit, Risk, & Compliance) and Kuldeep Pathak (Deputy General Manager – Human Resources).

Speaking on the launch of two mobile units, Mr. T. J. Wilson, Executive Director, Aster DM Healthcare, said, “The launch of these Mobile Medical Units reflects our unwavering belief that quality healthcare must reach people where they are. In Tirupati and Anekal, our focus is on strengthening last-mile access through preventive screening, early diagnosis, and timely intervention delivered directly within communities. These units are not just vehicles of care, but platforms for dignity, equity, and sustained impact. Through strong local partnerships and digital integration, we are building scalable outreach models that ensure geography and income never become barriers to good health.”

Both Mobile Medical Units are equipped with medical-grade interiors and clearly demarcated zones for registration, consultation, examination, and pharmacy. Designed to deliver safe and efficient care, the units feature proper ventilation and air conditioning, ramps for elderly and differently-abled patients, reliable power backup, clean water and handwashing facilities, and compliant medical waste disposal systems. Core safety systems including fire protection, emergency kits, and GPS-enabled communication further enhance operational readiness.

The mobile medical units are also equipped with basic diagnostic and digital point-of-care devices and support free primary consultations, non-communicable disease (NCD) screening, maternal and child health services, health education, and referrals for advanced care. They operate on integrated digital systems, including EMR and tablet-based registration linked to secure remote servers, patient follow-up tools, and impact reporting dashboards, ensuring continuity of care and measurable community impact.

Built on the principles of accessibility and affordability, Aster has consistently expanded its network into emerging towns and underserved communities, through Aster Volunteers and its medical services ensuring advanced medical care is within reach. Through these initiatives, Aster Volunteers aims to bridge persistent healthcare access gaps by delivering timely, preventive, and need-based medical services directly within underserved communities reaffirming its long-term commitment to equitable and inclusive healthcare delivery.

New Delhi, Feb 17th:In a significant step toward reimagining elderly care in urban India, the Hamari Dilli Elder Friendly survey has uncovered critical gaps in in elder care, with 86% of seniors lacking digital literacy training—exacerbating isolation and unmet needs amid India’s ageing crisis. Aligned with NITI Aayog’s call for digitized elder programs (Senior Care Reforms Position Paper, 2024), the findings echo the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI Wave-1, 2017-18) data, where 27% of elderly report unmet healthcare needs and 30% live alone or with spouse, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive, tech-enabled solutions.

The survey, conducted by Wellness Health & You (WHY) and KG Community Development Council (KGCDC) across three colonies covering 600 senior citizens, is now set to be adopted and implemented at scale by Pacific OneHealth, which will lead operational execution, digitisation, and impact monitoring.

At the survey launch, Dr Anil Goyal, MLA, Krishna Nagar, New Delhi, said, “This ‘Elders for Elders’ model—linking three seniors with one peer and fostering intergenerational support—reflects the spirit of Kutumb Prabodhan in a structured, professional framework. He emphasised that combining experience, youth engagement, and medical care can keep seniors productive. Urging citizens above 70 years to obtain their Ayushman card, he highlighted Delhi Government’s ₹10 lakh health assurance scheme, covering treatment across 180 empanelled hospitals linked to the National Health Authority, and expressed full support for the initiative.”

Dr G. S. Grewal, Former President, Delhi Medical Association; Director – Senior Care+ Programme, Pacific OneHealth, asserts, “The survey findings clearly show that longevity without quality of life is not success. Healthy living in advanced years depends on mobility, mental wellbeing, preventive screening, and now increasingly, digital inclusion. LASI data has already warned us of chronic disease burden and functional decline. What this Delhi survey adds is ground-level evidence that elders want structured engagement, not sympathy. Our approach at Pacific OneHealth is to blend community, clinical continuity, and digital support so that seniors live longer—and live better.”

Operating on a “For the Elders, By the Elders” philosophy, the Hamari Dilli Elder Friendly initiative has onboarded 12 senior associations, completed line listing of 60+ residents, and conducted 600 household assessments. Six buddy groups and intergenerational volunteers are active, alongside a fortnightly OPD in Siddhartha Extension. A Digital Elder Care Card, mobile app, and service rebates are underway. Pacific OneHealth will now digitise, expand, and scale the model while preserving its participatory ethos.

Dr Swadeep Srivastava, President & Co-founder, Pacific OneHealth, said, “India is ageing rapidly, but our systems are still designed around episodic treatment, not sustained elder wellbeing. This initiative provides a replicable, scalable framework rooted in community participation. Pacific OneHealth will lead implementation, strengthen digital integration, mobilise healthcare partnerships, and ensure measurable outcomes. Our objective is not merely service delivery, but building an ecosystem where elders become active custodians of their own health.”

The Hamari Dilli Elder Friendly survey mirrors national LASI findings, highlighting hypertension (45%), diabetes (11%), functional decline, depression, unmet healthcare needs, and weak social security among seniors. It flags severe digital illiteracy locally, echoing NITI Aayog’s call for digitised elder training. Without digital empowerment, elderly risk exclusion from healthcare, financial protection, and social participation.

Mr. J. S. Marwaha, Secretary, Federation of Senior Citizens (EOK-4), asserts, “I say this with conviction—when one’s identity is alive, one’s joy is alive. If identity fades, life becomes mere survival. Seniors must maintain their vitality, their tempo. This initiative gives elders that platform—to remain active, connected, and purposeful rather than dependent.”

With India’s elderly population projected to double in the coming decades, initiatives like Hamari Dilli Elder Friendly could define the next chapter of urban ageing policy—where data meets dignity and community becomes care. Experts believe this participatory, community-driven approach offers a scalable blueprint for elder care across urban India.

Launched at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, under the HEAL OneHealth Connect Series, the initiative marks a paradigm shift—empowering elders as active participants who design and direct their own care with dignity and agency.

Inspired by the charm of evening elegance and the timeless artistry of fine leather, LANGUAGE presents its latest women’s footwear collection — where every design captures the essence of celebration, sophistication, and effortless style. Each pair is thoughtfully handcrafted, balancing modern grace with enduring comfort for moments that call for confidence and charm.

The collection brings together versatile designs that elevate every occasion. The Flora Pumps, with their smooth finish, sculpted block heel, and metallic toe accent, add refined sparkle to both day and night ensembles. The Clarisse Slingbacks, featuring a delicate bow and a pointed silhouette, exude classic femininity, perfect for evenings filled with grace and allure. Completing the edit, the Marcella Sandals showcase sleek multi-strap detailing that transitions seamlessly from elegant brunches to glamorous soirées — a blend of ease, poise, and contemporary flair.

Every pair in this collection reflects LANGUAGE commitment to craftsmanship and quiet luxury. Designed for women who embrace life’s finest moments with elegance and individuality, the collection invites you to make every step a statement of style and self-assurance.

The collection is now available at LANGUAGE stores in Chennai, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, Chandigarh, Indore, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Sangrur, Barnala, Dubai, and through over 250 multi-brand retailers across the country.

Explore the complete LANGUAGE® range online at Language Shoes and Amazon.in for effortless shopping.

Jodhpur, Feb 17th: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Rajasthan Gramin Bank, the largest bank in the state by number of branches, to enter into a strategic vehicle financing partnership for its customers. This MoU will enable both Ashok Leyland and Rajasthan Gramin Bank to offer customized financial solutions to the customers.

Mr. Viplav Shah, Head-LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, and Mr. Abhimanyu Charan, AGM, Rajasthan Gramin Bank signed the MoU in the presence of Mr. Mukesh Bhartiya, Chairman, Rajasthan Gramin Bank.  Under this partnership, Rajasthan Gramin Bank will be able to provide end-to-end financial solutions to the customers of Ashok Leyland. The partnership aims to enhance customer convenience by offering vehicle loans with flexible, easy-to-manage repayment options, tailored to meet individual needs and preferences.

Mr. Viplav Shah, Head-LCV Business, Ashok Leyland said, “Ashok Leyland is delighted to partner with Rajasthan Gramin Bank to provide attractive financing solutions to our customers. This strategic partnership will strengthen Ashok Leyland’s market position. Our products, featuring innovative technology, offer industry-leading total cost of ownership, ensuring maximum profitability for our customers. We remain committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences.”

Mr. Mukesh Bhartiya, Chairman, RGB, said, “Rajasthan Gramin Bank is pleased to partner with Ashok Leyland to offer seamless vehicle financing solutions. This association reflects our dedication to serving the diverse financial needs of commercial vehicle customers. We are confident that this collaboration will enable us to extend our reach and provide tailored financing options to support the growth of businesses in the commercial vehicle segment.” 

Ashok Leyland today offers a comprehensive range of trucks and buses to meet the full spectrum of commercial vehicle needs, from intercity light commercial vehicles to long-haul trucks and a wide variety of buses. Ashok Leyland’s vehicles ensure safe transport and driver-friendly options. As a pioneer in technological innovations within the truck and bus segment, Ashok Leyland is fully equipped with a range of buses powered by alternative fuels, dedicated to reducing pollution and promoting an eco-friendly transport system in India.

Bhubaneswar, Feb 17th: Birla Global University (BGU) hosted a conclave on the theme “AI-Powered People Strategy: Balancing Technology and Empathy,” bringing together leading personalities from industry and academia to examine how Artificial Intelligence can enhance, not replace, the human dimension in Human Resource management.

The objective of the conclave was to explore how AI could augment the human touch in HR by reimagining talent practices, leadership behaviours, and organisational culture. The discussions delved into real-world applications of AI in recruitment, learning and development, performance management, and employee experience. The sessions also discussed the ethical, legal, and emotional implications of AI adoption for employees and managers.

The conclave featured an Inaugural Session, two Panel Discussions, and a Valedictory Session. The sub-themes included Human-Centred AI in Talent Management and Empathy, Well-being, and Psychological Contracts in an AI-Driven Workplace.

The event was graced by Satyanarayana Vinjamoori, Former Vice President (HR & Operations), ADP Private Ltd. and Board Member – Food 4 Thought Foundation; Richa Mehrotra, Director – Staffing, Alvarez & Marsal; Swetaali Pattnaik, CEO & Director, SAIntellect Solutions; Arya Vedabrata, Founder & CEO, ByteIQ Analytics; Hemant Rath, Principal Scientist & Distinguished Engineer, TCS; and  Sikha Nanda, HR Head, Integreon.

Speaking on the occasion, Richa Mehrotra, Keynote Speaker said, “AI-driven talent acquisition and workforce analytics must address concerns such as algorithmic bias, trust deficits, and change resistance through a ‘human-in-the-loop’ approach to ensure fairness and contextual sensitivity in HR practices.”

 Highlighting the importance of the conclave, Satyanarayana Vinjamoori , Chief Guest said, “AI has evolved over decades, and its present scale and accessibility call for responsible integration. Technology must complement, not replace, human judgment, and modern HR leadership must align mindset, skillset, and toolset.”

The conclave aimed to enrich students with a future-ready understanding of how AI was reshaping careers, skills, and people management practices. Through direct interaction with HR practitioners and experts, students gained practical insights into AI-enabled HR tools, emerging career pathways in HR analytics and people strategy, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI-driven decision-making.

The platform brought together HR practitioners, people analytics specialists, line managers, start-up founders, and consultants to exchange experiences and best practices in implementing AI-driven HR solutions. By fostering dialogue between industry and academia, the conclave encouraged thoughtful adoption of technology while preserving empathy, fairness, and human judgment in organisational decision-making.

Bengaluru, India Feb 17: Swiggy Limited, India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, has announced the launch of Swiggy Dineout’s widely popular Great Indian Restaurant Festival (GIRF) 2026. Launched with Bhuvan Bam as the official ambassador for GIRF 2026, integrating the much loved universe of BB Ki Vines into India’s biggest dining festival.

Following the phenomenal success of last year’s editions, GIRF 2026 returns bigger, better and louder with a simple, powerful promise: Bill Half. Party Full. Starting 15 February 2026, diners can enjoy up to 50 percent off at 40,000+ top restaurants in 60+ cities in India. The offers are available across categories including cafes, pubs, bars, luxury dining and family restaurants for two full months. Diners can not only unlock up to 50 percent off on their food bill, but also get an additional 10% instant discount across all HDFC Bank cards and avail 10% back as Dinecash on every order when booking via Dineout.

Leading this year’s cultural moment is Bhuvan Bam, who brings the iconic world of BB Ki Vines into the heart of GIRF 2026. The campaign integrates beloved characters including Babloo, Babli, Sameer and Bhuvan, each representing relatable diner archetypes India instantly recognises.

In the flagship film, the BB Ki Vines universe takes on a familiar dining anxiety. Babloo worries about discount caps and fine print. Sameer confidently explains the scale of GIRF. The insight is simple but powerful. When the bill is half, hesitation disappears. Celebrations get bigger. Group plans become spontaneous. The vibe changes.

Commenting on the launch, Dhruvish Thakkar, AVP Marketing and Revenue, Swiggy Dineout, said “GIRF is one of India’s largest dining movements. Our focus every year is to make dining out more rewarding, more accessible and more frequent for consumers, while unlocking sustained incremental footfalls and revenue growth for our restaurant partners. With Bhuvan and the BB Ki Vines universe, we are tapping into characters that India deeply relates to. Babloo, Babli and Sameer represent real diner mindsets we see on the platform every day, from the bill conscious planner to the value maximiser to the spontaneous celebration starter.”

The GIRF 2026 theme, ‘Bill Half. Party Full.’, captures the core emotional insight behind dining out. Dining out is a joy. The Bill is the only brake. Take that away and the celebration scales. From the established dining capitals of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai to emerging culinary hotspots like Goa, Jaipur, Indore, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Udaipur, GIRF 2026 ensures that every foodie across 60+ cities gets to celebrate their way.”

The campaign will roll out across digital, social,and  creator ecosystems as well as in-app storytelling formats, with deep integration of BB Ki Vines characters across performance marketing, platform creatives and cultural moments.

Beyond discounts, GIRF 2026 introduces high energy activations including limited time Crazzzy Deals of the Day, complimentary cocktails and mocktails at select partner bars, and extended happy hours across participating venues.

This year’s edition features participation from leading brands such as Cafe Coffee Day, Barista, Good Flippin Burgers, Punjab Grill, YouMee, Krishnapatnam, Biergarten, Ironhill and several other popular dining destinations.

Mumbai, Feb 17: India’s Global Capability Centers (GCC) leasing activity reached a record 31 million sq. ft in 2025, reflecting the evolution of a sophisticated ecosystem of specialised metropolitan hubs, each commanding distinct competitive advantages across critical industry verticals.

According to New JLL report titled India GCC Guide 2025 the top six major cities have strategically positioned themselves as GCC powerhouses across a diverse spectrum but with unique offerings to specific sectors.

Bengaluru commands a 34-39% market share through its over 900 GCC units, setting the benchmark as the leader of the pack, while Hyderabad’s 20-23% market capture is built upon its status as the undisputed healthcare-biotech sector leader. This geographic specialisation model is reshaping how multinational corporations approach their Indian operations, moving beyond simple cost arbitrage to leverage each city’s unique strengths.

“India’s GCC landscape has evolved, moving beyond simple cost arbitrage to leverage each city’s unique strengths. The numbers tell a compelling story of sustained growth and maturation. With over 90% of current GCC activity concentrated in Tier I cities, these centers have commanded more than 263 million sq. ft of Grade A office stock across the top seven cities, while driving 40% of all office leasing activity over the past decade. What we are witnessing is not just expansion but acceleration. Over 200 new GCCs have entered India in just the last two years, with projections indicating total GCC footprint will surpass 350 million sq. ft within the next 3-4 years. This growth is particularly driven by US-headquartered firms, which represent 70% of all GCC demand from 2018 to 2025, underscoring India’s strategic importance to American enterprises. The future belongs to GCCs that view location strategy not as a cost center, but as a competitive differentiator, leveraging India’s multi-tiered city framework to build resilient, scalable operations that can adapt to changing global business demands. This multi-year growth trend reflects a fundamental shift where India has become indispensable to global corporate strategy, offering not just operational efficiency but strategic capability building across the entire value chain,” said Dr Samantak Das, Chief Economist and Head of Research and REIS, India, JLL.  

Bengaluru solidifies its position as India’s undisputed GCC capital

Bengaluru continues to dominate India’s GCC ecosystem, with the Silicon Valley of India now hosting over 900 GCC units, leveraging its robust talent pipeline, mature business ecosystem, and established tech credentials.  The city’s strength spans IT/ITeS, research and development across engineering and manufacturing sectors, innovation centers spearheading cutting-edge analytics, and retail operations, making it the preferred destination for companies seeking comprehensive offshoring capability development.

“Bengaluru continues to solidify its position as India’s undisputed GCC capital, with over 900 GCC units now operating in the city.  The city’s commanding 34-39% market share is built on its robust talent pipeline, mature business ecosystem, and established tech credentials. Bengaluru’s comprehensive strength across IT/ITeS, research and development, innovation centers, and retail operations makes it the preferred destination for companies seeking world-class offshoring capability development,” said Rahul Arora, Head – Office Leasing & Retail Services, Senior Managing Director (Karnataka, Kerala), India, JLL.

Hyderabad emerges as healthcare-biotech leader

Hyderabad has captured 20-23% of India’s overall GCC market, establishing itself as the country’s premier destination for healthcare and biotechnology operations. The city’s strategic advantages include world-class infrastructure, government policy incentives, and a rapidly growing talent pool specialising in BFSI and analytics as well. Key growth sectors include IT/ITeS, semiconductors, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences, positioning Hyderabad as a critical hub for innovation-driven enterprises.

Pune has secured 15-20% of the national GCC activity over the past four years, attracting major multinational corporations through superior quality-of-life metrics, talent availability and strategic sector positioning. The city excels in BFSI, automotive, IT/ITeS, manufacturing, and engineering services. Similarly, Chennai has experienced strong demand growth year-over-year since 2023, cementing its status as India’s manufacturing and automotive hub with complementary strengths in IT/ITeS, BFSI, and Engineering Research & Development (ER&D) build on its STEM talent base.

Delhi NCR has evolved into a corporate services powerhouse, capitalising on its diverse economic base and strong growth momentum. The region demonstrates strength in IT, BFSI, e-commerce and retail, healthcare, consulting, and education sectors. Mumbai, as India’s commercial capital, continues to attract strategic capability and solutions center set-ups driven by major banks, financial institutions, and multinational corporations, with BFSI continuing to remain its primary sector of excellence.

Tier II cities could be new frontiers for GCC set-ups

While Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune with the other major metros have long dominated the landscape, a shift is underway as global enterprises discover the untapped potential of India’s Tier II cities.

From the industrial and GIFT City corridors of Ahmedabad to the cultural capitals of Kolkata and Jaipur, secondary cities are rapidly transforming into sophisticated business hubs. This is not just geographic expansion; it is a strategic evolution driven by compelling business economics and emerging opportunities. Companies are achieving 10-35% cost savings while accessing fresh talent pools previously beyond reach. From Coimbatore’s engineering excellence to Mysuru’s IT prowess, and Kochi’s emerging tech ecosystem, these geographies represent more than cost arbitrage, they embody India’s distributed innovation model coming of age. Smart infrastructure investments, progressive state policies, and digital connectivity improvements have eliminated traditional barriers that once limited these cities. The result is that organisations are building operational resilience through geographic diversification while unlocking value that combines service delivery at scale with cost efficiencies. This migration represents India’s GCC sector maturing beyond the confines of established metros. As global enterprises seek sustainable growth models, Tier II cities offer a confluence of talent, cost efficiency, and infrastructure readiness.

The road ahead

As India’s GCC landscape continues to evolve, organisations that embrace strategic geographic diversification will be best positioned to capitalise on the country’s vast talent ecosystem while optimizing operational efficiency. The future belongs to GCCs that view location strategy not as a cost center, but as a competitive differentiator, leveraging India’s multi-tiered city framework to build resilient, scalable operations that can adapt to changing global business demands.