GCC Setup & Advisory
India Entity Formation
End-to-end India GCC launch - from entity structure selection and SPICe+ incorporation on MCA21 to state incentive negotiation, RBI FDI reporting, and Day 1 operations. We act as your on-ground strategic partner across all four major GCC states.
At a glance
4-6 weeks
to Certificate of Incorporation
100% FDI
automatic route
4 states
incentive negotiation
37 days
average full GCC launch
What is included
10 GCC setup services - entity to Day 1 operations
From choosing the right corporate structure to state incentive negotiation and RBI FDI reporting - every step managed by India GCC specialists.
Entity Structure Selection
Private Limited Company, Branch Office, LLP, or Wholly Owned Subsidiary - each carries distinct implications for corporate tax rate (22% vs 40%), repatriation of profits, directorship requirements, and exit flexibility. We produce a written recommendation with tax and scenario modelling before any filing begins.
SPICe+ Incorporation Filing (MCA21)
The Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company electronically is a single integrated form on MCA21 that simultaneously handles name reservation, incorporation, DIN, PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC, and Professional Tax registration. We prepare all annexures - eMOA, eAOA, INC-9, AGILE-Pro-S - to avoid ROC rejections.
Director Identification Number (DIN) & DSC
Every proposed director of an Indian company requires a DIN and a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate. Foreign nationals need passport apostillation. We manage the full procurement chain including notarization coordination for overseas directors.
MOA/AOA Drafting
The Memorandum and Articles of Association define the company's objects clause, share capital structure, and internal governance rules. We align the objects clause to cover IT/ITES, R&D, and shared services broadly enough to prevent future amendment requirements as the GCC's scope expands.
State Incentive Negotiation
Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu all offer IT/ITES-specific incentives: SEZ tax holidays, stamp duty exemptions, SGST reimbursements, and single-window clearances. We negotiate directly with State Investment Promotion Boards (KIADB, T-IDEA, MIDC, TIDCO) on your behalf.
Captive vs BOT vs Joint Venture Advisory
A captive Private Limited subsidiary gives full control and cleanest IP ownership. A Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement lets a third party stand up a running team before handover. A JV works when local market access is strategic. We evaluate headcount trajectory, IP requirements, and exit flexibility to recommend the right model.
SEZ Unit Registration
If your GCC qualifies for a Special Economic Zone unit, we manage the Letter of Approval application, Bond-Cum-Legal Undertaking execution, and ongoing annual performance requirements. SEZ units enjoy a 15-year tax holiday structured as 5 years 100%, 5 years 50%, then 5 years reinvestment-linked.
Single-Window Clearance Coordination
State single-window systems (Invest Karnataka, TS-iPASS, MahaPermit) consolidate departmental approvals - factory inspector, pollution board, fire NOC, municipal trade license - into one interface. We track every approval in the queue so Day 1 operations are not delayed by a missing clearance.
RBI FDI Route Structuring
Foreign Direct Investment into IT/ITES is on the automatic route - no prior RBI or government approval required. The Indian company allots shares within 60 days of receiving remittance and files FC-GPR on the FIRMS portal within 30 days of allotment. We handle the FIRC collection, CA valuation certificate, and the full FC-GPR submission.
Location & City Selection Strategy
Bangalore leads for product engineering and AI/ML; Hyderabad for cloud and platform teams at lower cost; Pune for ER&D and automotive; Chennai for manufacturing-adjacent GCCs; Delhi NCR for consulting and government-interface functions. We model talent availability, real estate costs, and state compliance burden for your specific role mix.
Coverage
GCC setup in 5 India technology hubs
The city you incorporate in determines your state compliance obligations - Professional Tax slabs, Shops Act rules, and which state incentive program applies.
Bangalore
KAProduct engineering & AI/ML GCCs
Electronics City SEZ, ITPB Whitefield, Manyata Tech Park
- Koramangala
- Whitefield
- Electronic City
- Outer Ring Road
Hyderabad
TSCloud, platform & cost-optimised GCCs
HITEC City SEZ, Raheja Mindspace, Salarpuria Sattva
- HITEC City
- Gachibowli
- Kondapur
- Madhapur
Pune
MHER&D, automotive & semiconductor GCCs
Rajiv Gandhi IT Park (Hinjewadi), EON IT Park (Kharadi)
- Hinjewadi
- Kharadi
- Baner
- Magarpatta
Chennai
TNManufacturing-adjacent & BFSI GCCs
TIDEL Park, Olympia Tech Park, DLF IT Park OMR
- OMR
- Sholinganallur
- Perungudi
- Tidel Park
Delhi NCR
HRConsulting, fintech & govt-interface GCCs
DLF Cyber City Gurgaon, Noida Special Economic Zone
- Gurgaon Cyber City
- Noida Sector 62
- Connaught Place
- Aerocity
Deliverables
From entity filing to bank account - in one engagement
We manage the full incorporation stack simultaneously - MCA21 filing, RBI reporting, state registrations, and bank onboarding - so no single approval holds up the next step.
Entity structure recommendation
Written report with tax and repatriation scenario modelling
SPICe+ filing package
eMOA, eAOA, INC-9, AGILE-Pro-S prepared and submitted
Certificate of Incorporation
CIN from Registrar of Companies with state-specific stamp
DIN & DSC for all directors
Including coordination for foreign national apostillation
PAN, TAN, EPFO, ESIC registrations
Issued via integrated SPICe+ in parallel with incorporation
FC-GPR filing with RBI
Within 30 days of share allotment via FIRMS portal
State incentive application
Filed with KIADB / T-IDEA / MIDC / TIDCO as applicable
Bank account opening support
HDFC / ICICI / Kotak with GCC-experienced relationship managers
Important compliance note
FC-GPR must be filed with RBI within 30 days of share allotment - not from the date of receipt of funds. Late filing is a FEMA violation requiring compounding with RBI. The FLA (Foreign Liabilities and Assets) annual return must be filed by 15 July every year, even if no new capital was received during the year. We track and file both proactively as part of every GCC setup engagement.
FAQ
Common questions about setting up a GCC in India
How long does it take to incorporate a company in India?
A Private Limited Company typically takes 4-6 weeks from submission of documents to receiving the Certificate of Incorporation (CIN) from the Registrar of Companies. This includes name approval (1-3 days via RUN), SPICe+ processing (7-15 working days), and PAN/TAN issuance. Delays usually arise from DSC procurement or document discrepancies - we track every stage proactively.
What entity type is best for a foreign company setting up a GCC?
Most Fortune 500 GCCs use a Wholly Owned Subsidiary structured as an Indian Private Limited Company under the Companies Act 2013. This provides 100% FDI under the automatic route for IT/ITES, full managerial control, and the cleanest path to ESOP pools and dividend repatriation. Branch Offices and Liaison Offices are restricted in their commercial activities and are usually not suitable for GCCs.
Is 100% FDI allowed in the IT/technology sector?
Yes. The IT sector is on the automatic route under India's FDI policy, meaning no prior approval from the Government of India or RBI is required. The foreign investor simply transfers capital, the Indian company allots shares, and FC-GPR is filed with RBI within 30 days. Defense, print media, and a few other sectors require government approval - IT/ITES does not.
What is the minimum paid-up capital required?
There is no statutory minimum paid-up capital for a Private Limited Company in India since the Companies Amendment Act 2015. However, for practical banking, immigration, and credibility purposes, GCCs typically capitalize at INR 1-10 lakh initially and inject working capital separately as Foreign Currency Loans (ECB route) or equity tranches.
Do we need a local director on the board?
Yes. Section 149 of the Companies Act 2013 requires at least one director who has stayed in India for 182 days or more in the previous calendar year. This director must be a natural person. We help identify a compliant resident director - either from your own team relocating to India or a nominee directorship arrangement - until you have local leadership in place.
What ongoing ROC compliance is required after incorporation?
Annual filings include AOC-4 (financial statements, within 30 days of AGM), MGT-7 (annual return, within 60 days of AGM), ADT-1 (auditor appointment), and DIR-3 KYC for every director. GCCs with foreign shareholders also file FC-GPR for each capital infusion and the FLA (Foreign Liabilities and Assets) return annually with RBI by 15 July.
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Your India GCC entity, incorporated in 4-6 weeks.
We handle the entity structure advisory, SPICe+ filing, DIN/DSC procurement, state incentive negotiation, and RBI FC-GPR reporting - so your GCC is legally operational without compliance gaps from Day 1.