Tamil Nadu is rapidly emerging as a key player in the global outsourcing economy, with Chennai leading the expansion of Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
According to a report by the Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Department of Tamil Nadu, TN policy note 2025- 2026, the number of GCCs in the state has more than doubled, from 150 in 2021 to 305 by 2024.
The report reveals that Chennai alone added 60 new GCCs in 2023–24, the highest among all Indian cities during that period. This increase has been driven by a combination of progressive policy support and attractive incentives under the Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy 2021 and the Tamil Nadu R&D Policy 2022. The state government has enabled GCC growth through subsidies on land, R&D training, tax exemptions and quality infrastructure.
As per the GCC Guide 2025 by JLL Research, Chennai’s GCC office area increased sharply from 3.7 million sq ft during 2017–2019 to 10.5 million sq ft in the 2022–2024 period, outpacing several established hubs. While Bengaluru and Hyderabad still maintain larger footprints, Chennai’s growth rate marks it as a serious contender in India’s digital economy.
The Report also claims that Beyond Chennai, the state is actively fostering growth in tier-2 cities. The report highlights Coimbatore and Madurai as emerging GCC hubs, with global players like Bosch, Deloitte and Ernst & Young establishing operations. The Tamil Nadu government initiatives to expand TIDEL and mini-TIDEL parks in cities such as Trichy, Thanjavur, Thoothukudi, Villupuram and Salem are expected to further solidify Tamil Nadu’s IT and knowledge ecosystem.
The ANSR Quarterly GCC Report 2024 estimates that Coimbatore hosts approximately 75,000 tech professionals, ranking it alongside cities such as Jaipur (85,000) and Ahmedabad (90,000). Indore, another key non-metro hub, accounts for 65,000 tech professionals.
Tamil Nadu’s continued investment in infrastructure, governance, and workforce development signals a strong ambition to position itself as a global GCC powerhouse, not just limited to its capital, but spread across the state.