Synopsis– The GCC boom in India is transforming the real estate demand through creating high office absorption, creation of high-paying jobs and massive infrastructure development in the major cities. Office leasing is now 40 percent GCC-led and luxury housing sales in these corridors are off the charts, 2025 presents prime opportunity to invest in residential and commercial real estate close to GCC hubs.
GCC Sector: Economic Impact and Job Creation
The GCC industry in India has already become very large as the number of GCC centres established in India stood at about 1,900 in 2024 and expected to reach 2,500 in 2030. In the present day the centres create employment opportunities for almost 1.3 million individuals with this number being estimated to reach 1.9 million by 2030. By 2024-25, GCCs had contributed nearly 64.6 billion dollars to the Indian economy and it is projected that its contribution to the economy will surpass 110 billion dollars by 2030, demonstrating the massive dimensions of the sector.
GCC workers also earn better in comparison with traditional IT workers. Their average pay increases ranged between 9.8 – 10.2% in FY 2024-25 as opposed to 8 – 9% by other IT companies. Also, GCC professionals receive 10-20% higher salaries as compared to their salary in legacy IT firms, which leave them with greater spending power to engage in property investments.
Economic Impact of GCC Sector in India
| Metric | Value (2024) | Projected (2030) |
| Total GCCs in India | ~1,900 | ~2,500 |
| Direct Employment | ~1.3 million | ~1.9 million |
| Economic Contribution | $64.6 billion | $110+ billion |
| Average Salary Hike (FY25) | 9.8–10.2% | — |
| Salary Premium vs Traditional IT | 10–20% higher | — |
GCC Footprint & Leasing Share by City
GCCs accounted for 42 percent of all office leasing in India in FY 2024-25, during which they took up 31.8 million sq ft across the country, a 24 % Y-o-Y Increase. The seven combined cities represent the largest portion of this activity, which makes them the target areas for real estate investment.
| City | Office Space Absorbed by GCCs (mn sq ft) | % Share in Pan-India Absorption | Annual % Change in Area Absorbed by GCCs |
| Bengaluru | 12.43 | 64.9% | 49.1% |
| Hyderabad | 6.26 | 46.4% | –2.9% |
| Chennai | 3.15 | 42.1% | –29.2% |
| Mumbai | 3.68 | 26.1% | 170.3% |
| NCR | 2.78 | 28.3% | 8.1% |
| Pune | 3.34 | 31.8% | 46.4% |
| Kolkata | 0.11 | 17.3% | –36.0% |
Also read: 3 Industrial Corridor Projects That Could Transform Bengaluru’s Real Estate Forever – See the List
Key Residential Hotspots
- Bengaluru: Whitefield, Sarjapur Road, Electronic City
- Hyderabad: Gachibowli, Financial District
- Chennai: OMR IT Corridor, Guindy
- Mumbai: Chembur, Borivali, Panvel
- NCR (Gurugram & Noida): Gurugram CBD, Noida CBD
- Pune: Hinjewadi, Baner, Kharadi
- Kolkata: Salt Lake, New Town
Real Estate Ripple Effect Metrics
| Indicator | Figure | Insight |
| Pan-India Office Leasing (2024) | 77.2 mn sq ft | 22.6% YoY growth |
| Share of GCCs in Office Absorption | ~40% | Strong demand anchor |
| Luxury Homes (₹1 Cr+ share) | 50% of annual sales | GCC income fueling premium segment |
| Mid-Market GCC Job Additions | +40,000 by 2026 | Emerging employment-led demand pockets |
| Upcoming Tier-2 GCC Destinations | Coimbatore, Kochi, Indore, Ahmedabad | Early-stage real estate play |
- A record of 77.2 million sq ft of office leasing occurred in 2024 and the GCCs captured ~40 percent of total office-leasing absorption.
- 50% of the annual house sales made were of homes priced more than 1 Cr. across the top 7 cities mentioned.
- Mid-market centres are expected to add around 40,000 jobs in the coming years, generating new areas of residential demand within and around emerging hubs.
- Tier-2: The launch in Coimbatore, Kochi, Indore, and Ahmedabad would provide the early investors with an opportunity to enjoy growth prior to market saturation.
Why 2025 is the time to Invest
- Long-term Job Creation: As direct GCC employment is expected to increase by about 600,000 professionals by 2030, the housing and the commercial property demand in quality space would be high.
- Income-Driven Demand: Salary hikes of close to 10% and premiums 10-20% higher than standard IT wages increase the spending capacity of high end and middle-market real estate.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Governments are offering incentives and belt-and-road-type investments in connectivity around GCC clusters will improve road, metro, and utility systems.
- High Rental Income: High Quality GCC corridor with increasing demographics resulting in high rental yielding in most micro-markets in various cities.
Final Thoughts
The GCC growth is supporting real estate demand and benefiting India due to several high-income-earning jobs, new infrastructure developments, and record office absorption in major cities. Real estate around these centers is now boasting a good combination of appreciation in the long term and steady rental income. As Tier-2 GCC destinations also emerge, 2025 is a smart landing place to invest in a growth strategy supported by fundamentals.
Written by Prajwal Hegde
