Uttar Pradesh Strengthens Its Vision to Become India's Next Global Capability Centre (GCC) Hub

Uttar Pradesh has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to position itself as India's next major destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), signalling its intent to capture 10% of all new GCCs established in the country. Announced at the GCC Summit 2026 in Noida, the initiative reflects the state's broader strategy to transform itself into a global technology and innovation hub by combining progressive policies, skilled talent, world-class infrastructure and investor-friendly governance. The roadmap is expected to accelerate high-value employment, attract multinational investments and support Uttar Pradesh's long-term goal of becoming a US$1 trillion economy.

GCCs Driving India's Digital Transformation

Global Capability Centres, once primarily focused on back-office and support operations, have evolved into strategic global hubs for artificial intelligence, engineering, research and development (R&D), product innovation, cybersecurity, analytics and enterprise decision-making. India has emerged as one of the world's preferred destinations for these centres due to its vast talent pool, digital infrastructure and competitive business environment.

Recognising this shift, several Indian states are competing to attract multinational corporations seeking to establish or expand GCC operations. Uttar Pradesh is now positioning itself as a strong contender by building an ecosystem that supports technology-led growth and innovation-driven investments.

A Comprehensive Roadmap for Technology-Led Growth

Speaking at the summit, Shri Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary, Department of IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh, outlined the state's strategy to become a preferred investment destination for global enterprises. He emphasised that the government's focus extends beyond attracting companies to creating a sustainable ecosystem where businesses can innovate, expand and generate high-quality employment.

According to Kumar, Uttar Pradesh aims to leverage its large skilled workforce, improving digital infrastructure and proactive governance to secure nearly one-tenth of India's upcoming GCC investments. The initiative aligns with the state's broader economic vision of accelerating industrial growth while fostering innovation across sectors.

Policy, Talent and Innovation at the Core

To strengthen institutional support, the state government will establish a high-level GCC Advisory Board comprising representatives from government departments, industry leaders, academia, Invest UP and development authorities. The board will play a key role in recommending policy reforms, improving inter-departmental coordination and facilitating faster investment decisions.

The government is also refining its IT & ITeS Policy to remain aligned with evolving global business requirements. Simultaneously, it is expanding data centre infrastructure, developing Deep Tech Hubs and U-Hubs, and promoting industry-oriented skill development programmes to ensure a continuous supply of future-ready professionals.

Beyond Noida: Expanding the GCC Footprint

While Noida and Greater Noida remain the state's established technology centres, the government plans to develop Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Prayagraj and Bundelkhand as emerging GCC destinations. This multi-city approach is designed to decentralise technology investments, create employment opportunities across regions and promote balanced economic development.

By nurturing innovation ecosystems beyond the National Capital Region, Uttar Pradesh hopes to leverage regional strengths while reducing concentration risks and expanding the benefits of digital transformation throughout the state.

Building India's Next Innovation Engine

Uttar Pradesh's GCC strategy represents more than an investment promotion initiative—it is a long-term blueprint for economic transformation. By integrating progressive policies, modern infrastructure, skilled human capital and collaborative governance, the state seeks to position itself as a global destination for advanced technology and innovation. If successfully implemented, the roadmap could significantly enhance Uttar Pradesh's contribution to India's digital economy, generate thousands of high-value jobs and establish the state as one of the country's leading engines of technology-led growth in the coming decade.

(With agency inputs)