By 2026, GCCs and Startups in Bengaluru and Hyderabad Will Lead Job Growth in AI/ML and Cybersecurity, Creating Opportunities for Thousands of Experts
GCCs and startups in Bengaluru and Hyderabad are poised to drive a significant job surge by 2026, particularly in AI/ML and cybersecurity, as India’s tech ecosystem continues to evolve. These cities, known for their vibrant tech hubs, are attracting global companies and innovative startups, fostering a dynamic environment for job creation. According to a report, GCCs are expected to generate thousands of new jobs by 2026. Bengaluru and Hyderabad lead this growth due to their robust infrastructure and deep talent pools. India’s tech sector may see a 20% job increase in 2025, driven by rising demand for AI and cybersecurity roles.
This shift reflects a move from traditional IT roles to specialized fields such as AI/ML engineering, data analytics, cybersecurity, and cloud engineering. Bengaluru hosts 36% of India’s GCC workforce, while Hyderabad focuses 45% of its efforts on high-tech sectors. Thousands of professionals—from fresh graduates to experienced experts—are expected to find opportunities in these fast-growing fields.
GCCs and Startups Drive New Hiring Models
Both GCCs and startups are revising recruitment models. Traditional outsourcing is giving way to direct hiring, in-house teams, and agile squads. GCCs are embedding AI and cybersecurity into global products from India. For instance, a US fintech GCC in Bengaluru recently launched a 200-member AI unit focused on fraud detection and credit modeling.
Startups are also scaling rapidly. Series B and C-funded firms are prioritizing data security and governance early. This has led to demand for cybersecurity architects and AI engineers with hands-on deployment experience.
Generative AI Drives Talent Demand
According to the EY India GCC Pulse Survey 2024, 70% of GCCs are investing in generative AI. Around 78% are training their teams for adoption. SAP Labs India in Bengaluru created ‘Joule,’ a generative AI copilot for SAP cloud apps. This illustrates how GCCs are not just deploying AI but also creating roles for AI/ML engineers and data scientists.
In Hyderabad, Haptik is expanding its team to build AI-powered customer service platforms. The Tech Salary Index reports that AI/ML architects in Bengaluru and Hyderabad earn up to ₹95 lakhs annually. This salary range indicates strong demand. Fresh graduates with AI skills are seeing 40% more hiring traction. Many GCCs plan to hire 50% more freshers than before. This creates a solid pipeline from top universities. Chennai, Pune, and Gurugram are also seeing growth, spreading opportunity beyond two core cities.
Why Bengaluru and Hyderabad Are Still the First Choice for Deep Tech Hiring
Bengaluru and Hyderabad lead India’s tech hiring for good reason. These cities offer experienced engineers, top universities, investor support, and scale-ready infrastructure. Over half of new GCCs in 2023 set up in these cities. AI/ML patent filings from firms based here have doubled in three years, showing a growing focus on R&D.
Hyderabad has become a base for global pharma and insurance cybersecurity teams. Bengaluru, with its startup momentum, leads in AI platforms for logistics, healthtech, and finance. A healthcare AI firm there doubled its data science team last year after winning global clients.
Secondary Hubs Supporting Scale
Cities like Chennai and Pune are becoming scale-out hubs. They offer cost advantages while keeping proximity to core talent. Companies are now choosing multi-city strategies to maintain growth without bottlenecks.
How GCCs and Startups Are Redefining Job Expectations
Job roles are evolving quickly. GCCs and startups want multi-skilled professionals. Full-stack developers now contribute to product strategy. Data scientists write production-grade code. Cybersecurity teams are expected to work alongside DevOps.
Top Roles in Demand
- AI/ML engineers skilled in TensorFlow and PyTorch
- Cloud engineers with multi-cloud deployment experience
- Cybersecurity experts in zero-trust and threat detection
- Full-stack developers with React, Node.js, and containerization skills
Reskilling as a Strategic Move
Firms are investing in internal capability building. A retail GCC in Hyderabad teamed up with IIT-Hyderabad for a year-long AI course. SaaS startups are running in-house academies for analytics and security training.
GCCs and Startups Shape India’s Global Tech Role
India is no longer just an execution hub. GCCs are delivering full product mandates. Startups are building global-grade platforms from the outset.
Leadership and Ownership Trends
Hiring is now focused on long-term capability. Rather than short-term execution, firms want leaders who can own products and roadmaps. A cybersecurity leader in Hyderabad noted their India team now defines strategy, not just delivery.
Compensation Trends and Benefits
Demand is pushing up salaries. Many roles see 25–40% higher compensation than pre-2022. Companies are offering ESOPs, global exposure, and tight integration with HQ product teams.
GCCs Are Reshaping India’s Tech Workforce
The next two years are pivotal for India’s tech workforce. GCCs and startups in Bengaluru and Hyderabad are driving demand in AI/ML, cybersecurity, and cloud. But it’s not just about roles—it’s about depth, ownership, and innovation. Deep tech is no longer optional. It’s the new foundation for careers and growth alike.