Global capability centres (GCCs) in India have come a long way. What began as cost-arbitrage hubs have now transformed into world-class innovation centres that highlight the country’s potential on a global stage.
One of the key reasons behind this success is the quick recognition of India’s vast talent pool. As AI began to reshape industries, GCCs didn’t just stop at basic tasks; they started assigning complex engineering projects. This trust in Indian expertise has paid off.
Today, India’s GCC sector employs over 1.6 million professionals and drives innovation across industries. Notably, the growth isn’t slowing down anytime soon. According to Ernst & Young, by 2030, there will be over 2,400 GCCs in India, which will generate jobs for around 4.5 million people.
The Driving Force
One of the key forces behind India’s technologically advanced and adaptive workforce is the exceptional contribution of IIT graduates. These talented individuals are leading GCCs across the country with unmatched competence and skill.
Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, highlighted the significant impact of IITs on the growth of the nation. “IITs proved to the world the capability of India in the domains of education and technology. In more than one way, the story of the IITs is the story of Independent India. The IITs have contributed immensely to India’s improved standing on the global stage today.”
Several leaders in GCCs are spearheading transformative initiatives, showcasing the exceptional talent supported by IITs. For instance, Dileep Mangsuli, senior vice president of global access to care at Siemens Healthineers, is an alumnus of IIT Madras. Similarly, Saurabh Saxena, Intuit India site leader and senior vice president of product development, hails from IIT BHU. Another notable leader, Mohit Sood, who is the regional managing principal at ZS, a global management consulting firm, is also from IIT BHU. These are just a few examples from a growing list of IIT graduates driving innovation and progress in the GCC ecosystem.
To explore IITs’ capability behind producing such a unique pool of talent, AIM spoke with Sharad Kumar Saraf, chairman at Technocraft Industries (India) and IIT Bombay alumnus. Saraf also serves as the chairman of the board of governors at IIT Bombay and IIT Jammu and leads the PanIIT World of Technology (PIWOT) 2025.
Saraf attributed the success of IIT alumni in leadership roles to their holistic learning environment. “What you learn in hostels – working, networking, and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds – is invaluable. It’s a big part of leadership development,” he explained. Saraf likened IITs to a modern-day Gurukul system, where professors and students interact closely, even beyond classroom settings.
From contributing to breakthroughs like CAR-T cell therapy to supporting other technical institutions, IITs continue to uplift India’s technological and societal growth. “We not only educate but also help build a better future for the nation,” he affirmed.
Talking about the transformative role of AI and its integration across various disciplines at IITs, Saraf said, “AI is a game changer, and we have realised its importance in every aspect of life, not just in business or factories.”
Institutions like IIT Bombay have embedded AI courses across departments so that all students acquire a strong foundational understanding of AI.
Pradeep Bhargava, president of IIT Startups and an IIT Kanpur alumnus, shared insights on IIT Kanpur’s significant contributions to innovation. “IIT Kanpur has consistently been one of the forefront runners in innovation. One can look at the AI centre of excellence on sustainable cities, led by IIT Kanpur, which uses AI for smart city planning, traffic management, and efficient resource distribution. By integrating data from sensors, GIS maps, and satellite feeds, the centre predicts resource needs and enhances public space design, addressing critical urban challenges,” he explained.
IIT Bombay’s interdisciplinary approach includes centres like the Technograph Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence, which supports various departments and contributes to government and industrial projects. According to Saraf, this approach ensures that AI is embedded in all courses and departments.
Moreover, IIT Bombay has partnered with institutes like Monash University in Australia and Washington University in St Louis in the US to offer joint degree programs. Talks are also underway with a prominent Japanese university to collaborate on AI and other technologies.
Beyond GCCs
Beyond their role in GCC leadership, IITs are a driving force behind India’s thriving startup ecosystem. Through dedicated incubation programs, they encourage entrepreneurship and foster innovation.
According to the ministry of education, many successful startups have been founded by IIT alumni, including well-known names like Sachin and Binny Bansal (Flipkart), Abhay Singhal (InMobi), Ankit Bhati and Bhavish Aggarwal (Ola), Deepinder Goyal (Zomato), Jyoti Bansal (AppDynamics), KV Rao (Zuora), Pankaj Chaddah (Zomato), Rohit Bansal (Snapdeal), and Sanjay Sethi (ShopClues.com).
Saraf highlighted the role of IITs in encouraging entrepreneurship through incubation centres. At IIT Bombay, the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) provides mentoring, office space, and access to labs to help students and faculty turn their ideas into reality. “A couple of unicorns have already emerged from IIT incubation centres.”
IITians Taking Initiatives
IIT Bombay has also partnered with the Maker Bhavan Foundation, where students can experiment with prototypes and explore new ideas. “This continuous effort by IITs gives students a huge advantage and positions them as key drivers of India’s startup ecosystem,” Saraf further said.
The PIWOT is another significant initiative by the IIT alumni community. The 2025 edition, to be held in Mumbai, will focus on themes like sustainability, healthcare, and agriculture.
“We aim to highlight how AI and other technologies can transform traditionally underserved sectors,” Saraf explained. The event will feature hackathons, startup pitch sessions, and discussions led by global leaders, Nobel laureates, and policymakers.
In this regard, Debashish Bhattacharyya, chairman of PanIIT Alumni India, said, “ To ensure that the IIT students are well-equipped with the skills and insights to excel in an AI-driven world, we are looking at initiatives like PIWOT that brings together the nation’s key influencers and stakeholders like academia, industry, government, startups, alumni and enables conversation between them.”
