India is fast becoming a global hub for life sciences Global Capability Centres (GCCs), according to the latest EY report. Nearly half of the world's top 50 life sciences firms now operate GCCs in the country, amounting to around 100 centres, with plans to scale this number to 160 over the next five years. This surge is no longer driven by cost arbitrage alone—multinationals are embedding their most strategic, high-value functions in India.

What sets this shift apart is the growing scope of work managed from these centres. While India’s GCCs already handle the bulk of enabling tasks—such as finance (70 percent), HR (75 percent), supply chain (62 percent), and IT (67 percent)—their role is expanding to core operations. India now contributes significantly to drug discovery and development (45 percent), regulatory affairs (60 percent), medical affairs (54 percent), and commercial operations (50 percent), signaling a deeper engagement in R&D, innovation, and strategy execution.

Several factors are reinforcing India’s position in this global transformation. Policy support from central and state governments, including investment incentives, has aided GCC expansion across states like Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. At the same time, India offers unparalleled depth and breadth in scientific and technical talent, with a pipeline that includes millions of professionals across life sciences, STEM, and medicine. This is complemented by a mature ecosystem of world-class CROs, over 100 unicorns, and thriving startups, all backed by Grade-A infrastructure.

According to Arindam Sen, Partner and GCC Sector Lead at EY India, GCCs in India are no longer just back-office operations—they are strategic innovation centres. Today, these centres increasingly act as twins to global headquarters, co-owning innovation and driving business outcomes. Looking ahead, India will continue to evolve as the life sciences industry’s epicentre by transforming operating models, building future-ready capabilities, and fostering interdisciplinary, AI-powered talent.