Chennai Emerges as a Global Capability Centre Hub with 10% of India's GCCs
When it comes to global capability centres (GCCs), Tamil Nadu stands out as a powerful magnet, housing over 250 such centres. This revelation comes from a report released on Thursday at the FICCI Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit & Awards (REISA), held in Chennai. The report, titled 'Real Estate & Infrastructure Driving Growth in Tamil Nadu,' underscores the state's transformation into a prime GCC hub.
Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, alone hosts 10 per cent of India’s GCCs, making it a significant player in the global tech and services landscape. After Chennai, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu ranks among the top tier 2 cities for setting up GCCs in India, further cementing the state's reputation as a hub for innovation and development.
The report also highlights the rapidly expanding data centre landscape in Tamil Nadu. Chennai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) are the primary hotspots for data centre operators, together contributing over 70 per cent of India’s total data centre stock. Besides Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai are emerging as key data centre hubs, driving the state's digital infrastructure forward.
Tamil Nadu boasts the highest number of operational Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the country, with 54 SEZs, and around 30 Sipcot (State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu) industrial parks. This robust infrastructure is a testament to the state's commitment to industrial growth and economic development.
Bhupesh Nagarajan, Co-chairman of FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council and CMD of Indira Group of Companies, emphasized the pivotal role of infrastructure in driving Tamil Nadu’s economic growth. 'Beyond industrialization, infrastructure has been pivotal in driving Tamil Nadu’s economic growth. Expanding airports, seaports, industrial corridors, logistics parks, expressways, and metro networks are strengthening connectivity within and beyond the state. Upcoming projects such as the Parandur greenfield airport, Chennai Metro Phase II, and major highway upgrades will further cement Tamil Nadu’s role as a key economic gateway,' he stated.
Anarock Research highlights the robust residential real estate market in Chennai, noting that between 2021 and 9M 2025, over 83,100 new residential units were launched in the city, and 85,200 units sold. This near alignment of supply and absorption indicates a balanced market that can comfortably absorb new inventory. This healthy housing market ratio reflects both the unwavering developer confidence and strong end-user participation that are Chennai’s defining highlights.
