The Government of Maharashtra has announced an ambitious Global Capability Centers (GCC) Policy aimed at positioning the state as a premier destination for multinational corporations (MNCs) and global enterprises. The policy, which focuses on Mumbai, Pune, and emerging tier-2 cities, is expected to generate over 400,000 jobs by 2030 while driving demand in the state’s commercial real estate market.
The GCC policy is a multi-pronged initiative combining investment incentives, infrastructure development, skill enhancement programs, and focused city-level growth strategies. Maharashtra has long been a hub for India’s corporate and startup ecosystem, and with this targeted policy, the state is looking to further leverage its strategic advantages to attract major international players across industries such as technology, finance, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and professional services.
Attracting Multinational Corporations
A key objective of the GCC policy is to attract multinational corporations to establish their global capability centers in Maharashtra. These centers, often serving as backbones for functions like research and development, IT operations, analytics, human resources, and finance, are becoming critical to global business operations.
Mumbai, as India’s financial capital, offers a robust business ecosystem, world-class infrastructure, and strong connectivity, making it an ideal location for corporate headquarters and high-value GCC setups. Pune, known for its thriving IT sector, academic institutions, and engineering talent, is increasingly drawing companies for large-scale technology and innovation hubs.
For tier-2 cities such as Nashik, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Kolhapur, the policy aims to build specialized infrastructure and provide investment-linked support to create new avenues for MNC expansion – diversifying GCC investments beyond the traditional metropolitan centres.
Job Creation Target: 400,000 by 2030
The Maharashtra government has set a job creation target of 400,000 new positions by 2030 under the GCC framework. These jobs will cater to a wide range of skill levels – from entry-level professionals in shared services and IT support to high-skill positions in advanced R&D and strategic business operations.
The policy integrates large-scale skill development and upskilling initiatives in partnership with industry stakeholders, universities, and technology institutes. This pipeline of qualified talent will ensure MNCs operating in the state have ready-to-deploy talent across diverse domains, making Maharashtra a highly competitive GCC destination.
Boost to Real Estate and Office Market Demand
With global corporations anticipated to set up and expand GCC operations in the coming years, the policy is expected to significantly drive commercial real estate demand across Mumbai, Pune, and tier-2 markets.
Office leasing activity, especially in Grade A properties, is likely to accelerate as MNCs require high-quality infrastructure equipped with modern amenities. Developers are expected to benefit from increased demand for office space, further spurring construction activity in the commercial segment. This phenomenon is anticipated to bring a ripple effect, stimulating economic growth in allied sectors such as hospitality, retail, and urban transportation.
Incentives and Infrastructure Improvements
The GCC policy offers a package of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to encourage investment from global corporations. These may include:
- Tax subsidies based on employment generation and capital expenditure.
- Single-window clearance for ease of setting up operations.
- Reduced property registration and stamp duties for commercial real estate transactions.
- Infrastructure support including high-speed internet connectivity, plug-and-play office spaces, and improved logistics.
From enhancing public transportation links between business districts to ensuring uninterrupted power supply and expanding coworking hubs, the policy emphasizes developing both physical and digital infrastructure to meet global business standards.
Focus on Skill Development Programs
Recognizing talent availability as a cornerstone of GCC growth, Maharashtra is launching targeted skill enhancement programs. These will be designed to align graduates and professionals with the specialized needs of multinational organizations.
Key initiatives include partnerships with engineering colleges, IT training institutes, foreign universities, and corporate training agencies to ensure a steady talent flow for high-tech functions such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. Additionally, emphasis is being placed on language training and leadership skills to enable local talent to seamlessly integrate into global corporate structures.
Driving Growth in Tier-2 Cities
While Mumbai and Pune remain flagship destinations, the policy strategically prioritizes the development of tier-2 cities as alternative GCC locations. Offering lower operational costs and fresh talent pools, these cities present an attractive value proposition for companies seeking balance between quality infrastructure and economic efficiency.
Government-led industrial parks, integrated business campuses, and upgraded transportation corridors are part of the blueprint to make tier-2 cities future-ready for GCC expansion. This distributed growth plan is expected to reduce the pressure on urban metros while ensuring equitable economic benefits across regions.
Industry and Economic Impact
The new GCC policy is a forward-looking economic strategy that positions Maharashtra as a global business hub for the next decade. By merging the strengths of the state’s industrial ecosystem with enhanced infrastructure and a high-quality talent base, the policy is likely to stimulate foreign direct investment (FDI), build stronger global trade connections, and create sustainable employment opportunities.
Industry experts note that the policy’s timing aligns with global corporate trends, where companies are seeking to diversify their operational bases beyond traditional hubs to achieve resilience and cost efficiency. Maharashtra’s pro-business governance, combined with this structured policy framework, could make the state a preferred choice over international locations competing for GCC setups.
Commitment to Growth
Speaking at the policy launch event, state officials emphasized Maharashtra’s commitment to becoming India’s GCC capital, fostering sustainable job growth, and building state-of-the-art infrastructure to meet the needs of future-ready businesses. With strong public-private partnerships and industry collaboration, the state aims to solidify its role as a leading contributor to India’s global business footprint.
