GCCs Outpace IT Services in Net Hiring

A Times of India audio briefing reports that Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are now outpacing traditional IT services firms in net hiring, adding around 200,000 employees in FY26 compared to 110,000 in IT services. GCCs are also offering higher projected salary increases of 9.3% in 2026 versus 6.6% for tech consulting firms. Demand is strongest in AI, GenAI, cloud, cybersecurity, and data, with India having about 4.2 lakh AI professionals against a demand of 6-6.5 lakh, potentially reaching 13 lakh by 2027. Despite this, IT services still hold over 34% of total tech headcount. Key signal: GCCs added ~200,000 net employees in FY26 vs 110,000 in IT services, with projected salary hikes of 9.3% vs 6.6%. For hiring leaders, this matters because for CHROs and TA leaders, this signals a structural shift: GCCs are becoming the primary engine for net new tech jobs, offering higher pay hikes, which will intensify competition for specialized talent. The AI talent gap (4.2 lakh supply vs 6-6.5 lakh demand) means hiring leaders must rethink sourcing strategies, possibly looking beyond traditional pools. IT services firms, while still large, face a war for talent as GCCs lure mid-to-senior professionals with better compensation and cutting-edge work. This trend also impacts location strategies, as GCCs expand into tier-2 cities, and comp benchmarking must adjust to GCC-led premiums. Teksands view: The GCC vs IT services hiring gap is a wake-up call. If you're an IT services firm, your value proposition needs a serious upgrade—salary alone won't cut it. For GCCs, the challenge is scaling fast without diluting quality. The AI talent shortage is real: 4.2 lakh pros vs 6.5 lakh demand means you'll be fighting over the same heads. Smart move? Invest in upskilling and look beyond the usual metros. And if you're a candidate, this is your moment—GCCs are paying 9.3% hikes, so negotiate hard.