Deloitte plans 50,000 India hires, eyes Mangaluru for expansion

Deloitte’s South Asia leadership highlights India’s growing role in global capability centres, signalling major hiring plans and stronger focus on Tier II cities like Mangaluru as companies push beyond traditional metro hubs.

Global professional services firm Deloitte is planning to significantly expand its workforce in India, with around 50,000 additional hires in the coming years, reinforcing the country’s central role in its global operations. The company is also evaluating Mangaluru as a potential expansion destination, reflecting rising interest in Tier II cities for global capability centre (GCC) growth.

Speaking at TiEcon Mangaluru 2026, Deloitte South Asia CEO Romal Shetty said the firm already employs about 140,000 people in India, accounting for nearly a quarter of its global workforce. He noted that while Deloitte has assessed several locations, Mangaluru stands out due to its talent pool and ecosystem, making it a strong contender for future expansion.

Tier II cities gain momentum in GCC growth

Shetty said India continues to dominate the global GCC landscape, hosting nearly half of all such centres worldwide. While major metros remain important, he emphasised that future expansion is increasingly likely to come from Tier II and Tier III cities, where companies can access skilled talent and scalable infrastructure.

Mangaluru, he noted, offers key advantages including workforce availability and real estate potential. However, he also flagged infrastructure challenges that need to be addressed, particularly around power and water, which are critical for data centres and digital operations.

Call for faster setup and stronger ecosystems

To accelerate growth, Shetty proposed the concept of digital economic zones that bring together GCCs, GPU-powered data centres, startups and academic institutions with ready-to-use infrastructure. He argued that setting up a GCC should take weeks rather than months, calling for streamlined processes and reduced regulatory friction.

Drawing comparisons with global innovation hubs, Shetty highlighted the need for closer collaboration between universities, industry and government to strengthen local ecosystems. He also stressed the importance of investing in research and development tailored to domestic needs.

According to Shetty, India’s long-term growth will depend on broader regional development. He said economic progress would remain uneven unless hundreds of cities across the country emerge as centres of innovation, employment and technology-led growth.