Why Andhra Pradesh Is Emerging As The Next Big GCC Destination

In this episode of – Andhra Pradesh 360 Podcast, Gaurav Hazra, Vice President & Head – Government Affairs, Asia Pacific, Cognizant, shares insights on how global technology companies assess digital talent ecosystems and why Andhra Pradesh, particularly Visakhapatnam, is gaining prominence as an emerging GCC destination. Hazra explains how the strength of the university ecosystem, the availability of fresh and experienced talent, and Vizag’s ability to attract professionals from outside the region are critical to building sustainable global capability centres. He highlights that the next wave of GCC expansion in India is likely to come from mid-sized global firms and secondary locations for large GCCs, making emerging hubs like Vizag an attractive, cost-effective, and talent-rich choice. The discussion also explores the importance of social infrastructure, quality of life, and long-term policy vision in shaping investment decisions. As Andhra Pradesh doubles down on building Vizag as a technology anchor, the state’s focus on talent, infrastructure, and execution speed could position it strongly in India’s next phase of GCC-led growth.