Global → India · GCC corridor
How to Set Up a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India
A decision guide for UK, US and global companies building their own team in India. Information as at 7 October 2026.
The Short Answer
A Global Capability Centre (GCC) is your own team in India, doing work for your company worldwide. It can run software engineering, data and AI, finance operations, cybersecurity or research. You own it, you direct it, and it reports into your leadership. It is not an outside vendor.
For a company that needs 20 or more technology, finance or operations people over the long term, India is usually the most cost-effective place to build that team. Here is what a decision-maker needs to know:
Who this guide is for: CEOs, CFOs, CTOs and boards of UK, US, European and other companies, including mid-sized and private-equity-backed firms, that need 20 or more technology, data, finance or operations people for the long term and are weighing an Indian centre against hiring at home, outsourcing or a partner model.
At a Glance
- How big should it be?
- Owning a company in India starts to make sense at about 15 to 25 people. Most centres start with 20 to 50 and grow.
- What does it cost?
- A 100-person team costs about ₹31.6 crore (US$3.3 million) a year to run. Setup is a one-time ₹1.8 to 2.5 crore (US$0.2 to 0.3 million).
- How much do we save?
- Senior engineers cost roughly 60% to 80% less than in the US. For a mixed team (engineers plus support staff), plan on 40% to 60%.
- How fast?
- About 5 months to a first working team. About 12 months to reach 100 people.
- What tax do we pay?
- The Indian company pays 25.17% tax under the 22% regime, but only on a small agreed margin (for example, 15.5% on top of its costs). Services billed to you carry no GST.
- Can we take money out?
- Yes. 100% foreign ownership is allowed without prior government approval for IT and related services, and profits can be paid out as dividends.
- What are the main risks?
- Tax disputes over pricing, rising salaries, staff turnover and data privacy rules. All are manageable when planned from the start.
Is This Route Right for You?
It usually fits when
- You need 20 or more people in technology, data, finance or engineering for years, not months.
- You struggle to hire or afford talent at home.
- You want to own your processes and intellectual property, not hand them to a vendor.
- Leadership will give the centre real responsibility, not only leftover tasks.
Think twice when
- You need fewer than about 15 people or a short project. A hiring partner or Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement may suit better.
- Your work needs constant live overlap with US hours (India is 9.5 to 13.5 hours ahead of the US).
- Your management team cannot give the first year real attention.
- Your owners are from a country that shares a land border with India; investment then needs government approval.
How Greenwolf Helps
Registering an Indian company is routine. Building a centre that the Indian tax department, the RBI, your auditors and your own board are all comfortable with is where the real work begins.
01
First, we tell you whether you need your own centre at all.
We look at the work you want to move, the team size and how long you need it. Below about 15 to 25 people, an employer of record or a Build-Operate-Transfer partner is often cheaper, and we will say so. If your own centre makes sense, we show the business case in your own numbers.
02
We identify the right city and structure.
Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi NCR, Chennai or a smaller city? Own subsidiary, BOT or a phased route? We compare cities on talent, cost, attrition and state incentives, and recommend a structure that fits your plans for the next five years.
03
We structure the parent and the India company together.
This is where most of the value sits. How the centre is owned and funded under the FDI rules; how it charges the parent, using the 15.5% safe harbour or an advance pricing agreement; how the IP the Indian team creates is owned and paid for; how to avoid the parent being taxed in India; and how cash moves back through dividends.
04
We execute the setup through one coordinated team.
Incorporation, PAN, TAN and GST registrations, the Letter of Undertaking for zero-rated exports, bank account, FC-GPR filing with the RBI, payroll and labour registrations, the services agreement with the parent, and office search with our property partners.
05
We run the compliance after launch.
Monthly payroll, GST and withholding tax; quarterly advance tax; the annual audit, tax return, transfer-pricing report, RBI return and company filings; and labour code and data protection obligations. One team, one calendar, and regular reporting to your finance team.
06
We help the centre scale.
New cities, new functions, employee share plans, incentive claims, an advance pricing agreement as the centre grows, and Greenwolf's partners in the UAE, Singapore and Hong Kong for your wider structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The full guide covers set-up routes, costs, tax on both sides, a timeline and the main risks.
Download the PDF guideHow much does it cost to set up a GCC in India?
How long does it take to set up a GCC in India?
What is the BOT model for a GCC?
GCC or outsourcing: which is better?
Is a GCC in India worth it for a mid-size company?
Can a foreign company own 100% of a GCC in India?
Start with an assessment
In one conversation we will tell you whether this route makes sense for your business, which setup fits, what it involves and how long it will take.
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