Government of Punjab Partners with Zinnov at Confluence 2026 to Promote Mohali as an Emerging GCC Hub

BENGALURU — The Government of Punjab partnered with Zinnov at the 19th edition of the Zinnov Confluence global technology and leadership summit to showcase Mohali as a growing destination for Global Capability Centers (GCCs).

According to data from the NASSCOM-Zinnov GCC Landscape Report 2026, nearly a quarter of India's new GCC units established over the past year have landed in emerging cities beyond traditional metro hubs. Driven by this structural shift toward multi-city portfolios, the Punjab state government aims to present Mohali as a competitive alternative offering a combination of talent, infrastructure, and operating economics.

Led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the outreach featured a dedicated session titled 'The Location Playbook: Mohali as North India's Emerging GCC Hub.' Shri Aman Arora, Cabinet Minister for Investment Promotion, Industries & Commerce, interacted directly with global enterprise executives and GCC decision-makers during the event.

Highlighting the region's advantages, Shri Aman Arora noted that Mohali offers Tier-1 capabilities alongside Tier-2 operating costs. The Chandigarh-Mohali region features a growing base of technology professionals and produces over 40,000 fresh graduates annually. The area provides commercial office spaces, proximity to the Chandigarh-Mohali International Airport, and an operational expenditure advantage estimated at roughly a third lower than Tier-1 hubs like Bengaluru and Chennai.

To support incoming enterprises, the State Government's industrial policy offers dedicated incentives, including an employment subsidy of ₹7,500 per employee per month, rental subsidies, capital subsidies, and stamp duty exemptions.

Nitika Goel, Managing Partner at Zinnov, remarked that India's distributed GCC landscape creates opportunities for locations capable of offering the right balance of talent, infrastructure, and operating economics to broaden North India's participation in the global technology value chain.

Industry observers note that while Mohali presents clear cost advantages and flexible entry models such as managed GCC services, long-term success will rely on building specialized talent depth that global enterprises increasingly prioritize.

"The shift of Global Capability Centers beyond traditional metro hubs highlights the growing maturity of India's Tier-2 cities. Mohali's combination of lower operating costs, strong academic output, and proactive state policies creates a solid foundation for regional economic growth. However, for destinations like Mohali to secure long-term mandates, the focus must remain on developing specialized talent and robust digital infrastructure to meet the evolving demands of global enterprises." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes