HITEC City Hyderabad: GCC Hub Guide with Rent, Tenants and Compliance
India's premier cloud and product engineering hub, anchored by Microsoft, Google and Amazon
Location
Western Hyderabad, approximately 12 km from Hyderabad central; Madhapur and Gachibowli adjacent
Area
Approximately 150 acres core, with surrounding tech clusters across 1500-plus acres
Headcount
700,000-plus tech professionals across greater HITEC City
Grade A Rent
INR 65 to 90 per sqft per month
Overview
About HITEC City
HITEC City (Hyderabad Information Technology and Engineering Consultancy City) was launched in 1998 as Telangana's flagship technology zone. Today it hosts the largest concentration of US technology GCCs outside North America, including Microsoft's largest non-US campus, Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Salesforce, Oracle and ServiceNow. The greater HITEC City area, which spans Madhapur, Gachibowli, Kondapur and Nanakramguda, employs an estimated 700,000-plus technology professionals.
- Developed by
- L&T Infocity, then expanded with K Raheja, DivyaSree, Mindspace and others
- Established
- 1998 (Andhra Pradesh Government, now Telangana)
Best for GCCs
- Cloud and SaaS product engineering GCCs
- BFSI and fintech captives needing premium talent
- AI/ML and data science centres of excellence
- Pharma and life sciences technology centres
Anchor tenants
Major organisations in HITEC City
Microsoft
Amazon
Meta
Apple India Operations
Salesforce
Oracle
ServiceNow
Deloitte
Accenture
Capgemini
Wipro
Infosys
TCS
Goldman Sachs
JP Morgan
Buildings and parks
Tech parks within HITEC City
Cyber Towers
Iconic 10-storey landmark, original HITEC City anchor
K Raheja Mindspace IT Park
Multiple buildings, designated IT SEZ
Wave Rock IT SEZ
Major SEZ campus
DivyaSree Orion
Premium Grade A development
RMZ Skyview
Mixed-use IT park
Cyber Pearl
Established mid-tier development
L&T Infocity
Original master developer's flagship
Salarpuria Sattva Knowledge City
Adjoining Nanakramguda
Getting there
Connectivity
Metro
HITEC City and Raidurg stations on Hyderabad Metro Blue Line (operational)
Airport
Approximately 30 km to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), 45 to 60 minutes via Outer Ring Road
Major highways
- Outer Ring Road (ORR)
- NH-65 (Mumbai-Hyderabad)
- Inner Ring Road
Rail
Lingampally MMTS suburban station nearby
Real estate
Commercial rent in HITEC City
Grade A (fully fitted)
INR 65 to 90 per sqft per month
Grade B
INR 40 to 55 per sqft per month
Rents have risen 20 percent in 2024-25 driven by Microsoft and Amazon expansions. SEZ space commands a 5 to 10 percent premium.
Talent
Talent specialisations
- Cloud engineering (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Product engineering and SaaS development
- AI/ML and data science
- Cybersecurity and DevSecOps
- BFSI technology (fintech, capital markets)
- Pharma technology and life sciences engineering
Estimated headcount
700,000-plus tech professionals across greater HITEC City
Why GCCs choose HITEC City
The case for HITEC City
HITEC City offers the best combination of talent quality, infrastructure and state government support in India. Telangana's TS-iPASS single-window clearance is the fastest in the country, and the state IT policy is one of the most aggressive on incentives. The presence of Microsoft, Google and Amazon at scale has built a self-reinforcing talent ecosystem, with many GCC hires now coming from these majors rather than from traditional IT services backgrounds. Rents are 25 to 40 percent lower than equivalent Bangalore space.
Watch outs
- Severe traffic congestion during peak hours despite metro; allow buffer time
- SEZ benefits sunset rules apply (verify operational date eligibility under Section 10AA Income Tax Act)
- Premium Grade A space waitlist has extended to 6 to 12 months due to Microsoft and Amazon expansions
- Power reliability dependent on TSGENCO infrastructure; ensure UPS and generator capacity in lease
Zone compliance
Regulatory and zone status
- Multiple SEZs (K Raheja Mindspace IT SEZ, Wave Rock SEZ) provide income tax benefits under SEZ Act 2005 and Section 10AA
- Telangana State IT Policy 2021-26 provides stamp duty rebate, power tariff concession and capital subsidy
- TS-iPASS provides 15-day single-window industrial clearance
- Telangana Industrial Project Approval Self-Certification System for GCCs
- GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) governs building approvals
Related compliance terms
Nearby residential areas
Other zones in Hyderabad
FAQ
Common questions about HITEC City
What SEZ tax benefits are still available in HITEC City for new GCC tenants?
Under Section 10AA of the Income Tax Act, units established in SEZs before the sunset date can claim income tax exemption on export profits. The sunset clause and operational date eligibility have been amended multiple times; consult a chartered accountant for current eligibility before signing a SEZ lease. Many HITEC City SEZs (K Raheja Mindspace, Wave Rock) continue to attract tenants based on remaining MAT-period exemptions.
What is the average commercial rent in HITEC City compared to Bangalore ORR?
HITEC City Grade A rents are approximately INR 65 to 90 per sqft per month, around 30 percent lower than equivalent Bangalore ORR space (INR 100 to 140). Telangana's lower power and electricity costs further widen the operating-cost gap, making Hyderabad 25 to 40 percent more cost-efficient than Bangalore at scale.
Which Indian state policy applies to GCCs in HITEC City and what incentives are available?
GCCs in HITEC City fall under Telangana State IT Policy 2021-26, which provides stamp duty rebate up to 100 percent for eligible units, power tariff concessions, capital subsidies for employment generation, and reimbursement of EPF contributions for the first 1000 employees. TS-iPASS provides single-window clearance within 15 days.
Is the Hyderabad Metro operational from HITEC City to the airport?
The Hyderabad Metro Blue Line operates from Nagole to Raidurg with stations at HITEC City and Raidurg in the zone. There is no direct metro to RGIA airport, but the Outer Ring Road provides reliable 45 to 60 minute road access. Hyderabad Airport Metro (separate corridor) is in planning.
What talent advantages does HITEC City offer over other Indian GCC zones?
HITEC City is India's strongest hub for cloud engineering (Azure, AWS, GCP) and product engineering, supported by Microsoft, Google and Amazon at scale. The talent pool is 60 percent product-engineering focused versus traditional IT services in other zones, with stronger English fluency and lower attrition (15 to 18 percent versus Bangalore's 20 to 25 percent).
Planning a GCC in HITEC City?
IRPR Network handles entity setup, EOR, payroll, and compliance for GCCs across all major India zones. Book a 30-minute scoping call.