Quess Corp flags skill gaps in AI, data roles in India GCCs
The report highlighted that there is a clear skill shortage among the GCCs in high impact technology domains
The global capability centres (GCCs) segment of India’s technology industry is witnessing a 43% skills shortage in the roles of artificial intelligence (AI), data & analytics, according to a report by Quess Corp.
The report, Quess GCC Talent Trends Q3 FY2026, highlighted the widening skill shortages across India’s GCCs, particularly in high-impact technology domains. For example, in the segment of platform engineering there is a 38% skill gap.
However, despite these shortages, GCC hiring remains steady, registering 4–6% quarter-on-quarter growth, reflecting a clear shift from volume-driven expansion to capability-led optimisation.
Kapil Joshi, Chief Executive Officer, Quess IT Staffing, said supply shortages ranging between 18% and 43% across AI/ML Ops, platform engineering, cybersecurity, and GenAI operations underscore the pressing need for accelerated upskilling, stronger functional mobility, and deeper Tier II ecosystem maturity.
The report mentioned that supply gaps have widened most sharply in mid-to-senior hiring cycles across AI and Data Analytics (including GenAI engineering, MLOps pipelines, and AI observability), platform engineering (terraform, kubernetes, hybrid-cloud reliability), and cloud infrastructure (FinOps automation and cloud-native governance). Cybersecurity roles, particularly zero-trust architecture specialists, are also witnessing elevated demand.
Tier II cities such as Coimbatore, Kochi, and Ahmedabad have seen GCC presence rise to 9–10%, driven by cost efficiencies. However, mid-senior talent depth in these markets continues to lag Tier I cities, limiting their ability to immediately bridge advanced skill gaps.
The report noted that GCCs are transitioning decisively toward “precision over volume,” prioritising niche capabilities such as AI observability, FinOps, and Zero-Trust cybersecurity. This capability-centric evolution is expected to shape the next phase of sustainable growth in India’s GCC landscape.
The findings align closely with Union Budget 2026 priorities, including the formation of a High-Powered Committee to assess AI’s impact on jobs and expanded skilling initiatives under the IndiaAI Mission and PMKVY 4.0. The report underscored the urgency for accelerated workforce transformation as GCCs evolve into strategic innovation hubs.