In the bustling tech corridors of Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad, the hum of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) has become synonymous with innovation, efficiency, and strategic transformation. But long before India became the world’s back office—or rather, its digital brain trust—a few visionary companies quietly laid the foundation for what would become a $60 billion GCC industry by 2025.
To understand the true value India delivers today through over 1,700 active GCCs, we must first journey back in time and salute the pioneers who saw potential where others saw only possibility.
The First Spark: Texas Instruments, 1985
The story begins in 1985 with Texas Instruments (TI). In an era before liberalization, TI became the first multinational to set up a wholly owned R&D center in India. Located in Bengaluru, this facility was more than a cost-saving move—it was a vote of confidence in Indian engineering talent. The team, initially connected via satellite to Dallas, built analog IC and DSP tools for global markets—long before “Make in India” was coined.
Citibank’s Quiet Revolution in Pune
Almost in parallel, Citibank launched Citicorp Overseas Software Ltd (COSL) in October 1985 in Pune. This facility, focused on banking software, effectively became India’s first “captive” IT services center. It was so ahead of its time that COSL helped create core banking platforms that would later power global financial infrastructure. COSL would eventually become part of Polaris Software, but its legacy remains foundational.
The Engineering Vanguard: Bosch, Philips & GE
In the late 1990s, India’s R&D credentials caught the attention of European industrial giants. Bosch opened its software and engineering arm in 1997, and Philips followed with its software center in 1996, both in Bangalore. These centers drove mission-critical innovation in automotive systems and medical technology. Then came GE with the John F. Welch Technology Centre in 2000—the first multidisciplinary R&D lab of its kind outside the U.S., spanning healthcare, aviation, energy, and more.
The Tech Titans Arrive: Microsoft, Intel, IBM
By the late 1990s, the software revolution was underway. Microsoft launched its India Development Center in Hyderabad in 1998, developing global products like Windows, SQL Server, and later, Azure. Intel arrived in 1999, designing chipsets and microarchitecture components. Meanwhile, IBM Research India, started in Delhi in 1998, became one of the company’s most advanced AI and quantum computing labs. These weren’t support centers—they were global product and research hubs from day one.
Retail & Finance Take the Baton
In 2004, Tesco launched its Hindustan Service Centre in Bengaluru, pioneering retail-focused GCCs. The same year, Goldman Sachs entered with a tech and analytics center that now houses thousands of professionals. By 2005, Northern Trust joined with its custody and fund services arm. And in 2002, JPMorgan Chase launched its Mumbai Global Service Center.
What These Pioneers Got Right
These early GCCs weren’t just about cost arbitrage—they were early experiments in trust and autonomy. They seeded full-stack engineering, created middle-office depth, and championed localized leadership long before today’s maturity models existed. Most importantly, they institutionalized India’s role not just as an executor, but as a co-creator of global value.
Why This History Still Matters
As GCCs today evolve into AI innovation hubs, customer experience labs, and strategic control towers, understanding their roots offers both humility and perspective. These early centers proved India’s potential as a value creator, not just a support system. They created pathways that hundreds of global firms have followed—and continue to follow—into the heart of India’s digital talent.
In many ways, the future of GCCs in India is already written. You just have to read the first chapter again.
| Sector | Company & Centre | Location | Inception Year |
| Semiconductor R&D | Texas Instruments India R&D Centre | Bengaluru | 1985 |
| Banking IT Services | Citicorp Overseas Software Ltd (COSL) | Pune | 1985 |
| Healthcare & MedTech R&D | Philips Software Centre (Philips Innovation Campus) | Bengaluru | 1996 |
| Automotive Engineering | Robert Bosch Engineering & Business Solutions Pvt Ltd | Bengaluru | 1997 |
| Software Product Development | Microsoft India Development Center | Hyderabad | 1998 |
| IT Research | IBM Research India | Delhi | 1998 |
| Semiconductor Engineering | Intel India Development Center | Bengaluru | 1999 |
| Industrial & Multidisciplinary R&D | GE John F. Welch Technology Centre | Bengaluru | 2000 |
| Retail Shared Services | Tesco Hindustan Service Centre | Bengaluru | 2004 |
| Investment Banking & Analytics | Goldman Sachs India Technology Hub | Bengaluru | 2004 |
| Asset Servicing | Northern Operating Services Pvt Ltd (Northern Trust) | Bengaluru | 2005 |
| Global Business Services | JPMorgan Chase Global Service Centre | Mumbai | 2002 |
| Consumer Goods IT Services | Unilever Technology & Innovation Centre (UniOps) | Bengaluru | 2012 |
Citations:
- Texas Instruments India: Business Standard Archives
- COSL History: Indian Express (2002), Polaris Annual Report
- Philips Innovation Campus: Philips India website
- Bosch Engineering: Bosch Global
- GE JFWTC: GE Company Reports
- Microsoft IDC: Microsoft India
- Intel India: Intel India Press Room
- IBM Research India: IBM LabsTesco HSC: Tesco Careers
- JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Northern Trust: Company Careers/Press Sites
Ready to uncover the hidden chapters of India’s GCC revolution? At GCC Pulse, we’re passionate about bringing you the most unheard‑of, untold stories of global capability centers. In India and around the world.
