India’s workforce is redefining the global narrative around the “Return-to-Office” (RTO) movement. According to JLL’s Workplace Preference Barometer 2025, a staggering 82% of Indian employees are now subject to back-to-office mandates — and what’s more striking, 83% of them express positive sentiment toward returning to physical workplaces.

This makes India the most office-enthusiastic workforce globally, with satisfaction levels significantly higher than the Asia-Pacific average of 64%. The strongest momentum is visible across technology, banking and financial services (BFSI), and education sectors.

“This is a pivotal moment for Indian organizations,” said JipuJose James, Managing Director, Project & Development Services (PDS), India, JLL. “With 83% of employees showing positive sentiment toward RTO policies, it’s clear that Indian corporates have cracked the code of human-centered workplace design. The future of work will belong to those who balance productivity, flexibility, and continuous learning.”

Workplace Satisfaction at Record Highs

Indian corporates appear to have turned the RTO challenge into an opportunity. The report reveals that 8 out of 10 employees describe their workplace as ‘close to ideal’, citing collaborative environments, superior amenities, and efficient design as key contributors.
The study also highlights that 96% of India’s workforce actively engages with AI tools, a figure far ahead of the regional average — underscoring the country’s swift adaptation to tech-driven hybrid workflows.

Flexibility Becomes the New Currency of Talent

If the office is back, it’s not at the expense of flexibility. Nearly 60% of Indian employees now cite flexible work options as the top factor when choosing an employer, surpassing the Asia-Pacific average of 54%.
Organizations that offer adaptable work schedules, team-based hybrid models, and flexibility tailored to individual needs are emerging as clear winners in the war for talent.

“Flexibility is no longer a perk — it’s a strategic advantage,” said Kamya Miglani, Head of Work Dynamics Research, Asia Pacific, JLL. “Employers that want to attract and retain top talent must go beyond attendance mandates and create workplaces that people want to be part of.”

Bridging the Gap Between Sentiment and Performance

While optimism runs high, translating it into measurable productivity requires a strategic approach. JLL recommends a three-pronged strategy:

• Enhance Workplace Experience: Offices must justify the commute — through better collaboration tools, high-quality comfort amenities, and adaptive spaces.
• Evolve Time Flexibility: Move beyond basic hybrid models toward individualized scheduling that respects personal circumstances.
• Integrate Well-being: Tackle concerns of overwork and commute fatigue to maintain long-term engagement.

The Burnout Paradox

The report also flags a growing concern — 54% of Indian employees report moderate to high burnout levels, even amid rising enthusiasm for office return.
The data paints a paradox: while employees are eager to return, many are struggling to maintain sustainable work-life balance. JLL warns that unless organizations actively address burnout through supportive policies, well-being programs, and realistic workload management, this enthusiasm could fade into attrition.

India’s Competitive Edge in the Future of Work

India’s rare combination of demographic advantage, workforce optimism, and progressive corporate policy has positioned it as a global model for workplace reinvention.
By coupling flexibility with human-centered office design, Indian companies are transforming the RTO movement into a strategic differentiator — strengthening both employee loyalty and business performance.

The report concludes that India’s RTO success is not just about returning to the office — it’s about reimagining the purpose of workspaces as places of connection, innovation, and well-being.

Also Read: Residential rentals surge in Pune as employees return to office

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The “India GCC Trends Report 2025–26”, launched at the CII Southern Region Annual Meeting, offers a comprehensive outlook on how India’s 1,600+ GCCs — which employ over 1.9 million people — plan to navigate the upcoming fiscal.

Tier 1 Cities Still in Command — For Now

According to the report, 60% of GCC hiring in FY26 will be concentrated in Tier 1 cities, reaffirming the dominance of metros like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Gurugram. These cities continue to attract talent due to better infrastructure, educational institutions, and access to client ecosystems.

“GCCs continue to leverage Tier 1 cities because they still offer unmatched scale and domain depth,” said Devashish Sharma, CEO of Taggd. “But a structural shift is beginning.”

Tier 2 & 3 Cities Emerge as Strategic Alternatives

Interestingly, 42% of GCCs are now open to hiring from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, signaling a decentralisation trend. Cities like Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Jaipur are gaining attention for their lower operational costs, improving infrastructure, and emerging tech talent pools.

This shift is also powered by hybrid work models, which give companies flexibility to tap into talent beyond conventional hubs without relocating entirely.

“Flexibility in workspace formats and the increasing adoption of digital infrastructure have given GCCs the confidence to look beyond metros,” noted Sandeep Sethi, Division President, Work Dynamics, JLL Asia Pacific.

Attrition & Replacement Hiring: A Growing Concern

While net hiring sentiment is high, 40% of anticipated hiring in FY26 is to backfill vacant positions, pointing to persistent attrition challenges. The report observes that the average tenure of employees in GCCs has reduced to 18–24 months, with Gen Z professionals showing the highest mobility.

This churn is pushing companies to re-strategise hiring with a focus on retention, internal mobility, and upskilling.

Real Estate & Flex Work Also Evolving

In parallel with hiring trends, GCCs leased nearly 28 million sq. ft. of office space in 2023–24, with a sharp increase in demand for flexible office formats and hybrid-ready workspaces. JLL notes that real estate strategies are increasingly being designed around work-from-anywhere capabilities, which further enables talent access from smaller towns.

AI-Driven Hiring on the Rise

The report also highlights that 48% of GCCs are planning to adopt AI-driven hiring tools in FY26. While this promises better recruitment efficiency, there’s caution over potential risks such as algorithmic bias and data privacy.

Key Highlights from the Report:

Conclusion: Metro-First But Not Metro-Only

India’s GCC landscape is expanding with renewed momentum, but the geographic playbook is changing. While Tier 1 cities still dominate, the future may belong to digitally connected, affordable, and decentralised Tier 2/3 hubs. Companies that balance metro muscle with regional reach will likely lead the next wave of smart hiring in FY26.

Also Read: Embassy Group Unveils India’s First Integrated GCC Platform – ‘EMBARK’

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Awfis, India’s largest and first publicly listed workspace solutions provider, has partnered with global management consulting firm Zinnov for the 18th edition of Zinnov Confluence 2025, a flagship event spotlighting the transformation of Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

This strategic alliance positions Awfis at the forefront of India’s evolving GCC landscape, showcasing its role as an innovation enabler and trusted infrastructure partner for global enterprises expanding operations in India.

Strengthening the GCC Ecosystem

Awfis is doubling down on its support for global organizations looking to build and scale their GCCs across India. With expertise in workspace design, execution, and management, the company has become the go-to partner for top-tier corporates and multinational firms.

Notably, 60% of Awfis’ clientele today includes GCCs, large corporates, and multinationals. Recently, Awfis onboarded leading players such as Zinnov, Meltwater, and ABC Fitness at its premium centres in Hyderabad.

Elite by Awfis: Designed for Global Enterprises

The company’s premium offering, “Elite by Awfis”, is specifically curated to meet the sophisticated infrastructure and service expectations of GCCs. It offers a high-end, agile, and collaborative workspace experience that supports the rapid scaling and evolution of enterprise operations.

“We are seeing a shift from fixed real estate to outcome-driven workspace models,” said Amit Ramani, CMD, Awfis Space Solutions Ltd. “Our partnership with Zinnov underlines our focus on enabling transformation through flexibility and innovation.”

Zinnov’s Vision: Workspaces as Strategic Growth Enablers

Zinnov has advised over 195 global enterprises in establishing and scaling GCCs, transforming them from execution hubs into value-creating centres. The collaboration with Awfis at Confluence 2025 signals a shared belief in agile, innovation-led work environments as key to unlocking enterprise potential.

“Workspaces are no longer just physical assets. They’re strategic tools merging design, psychology, and innovation,” said Nitika Goel, Managing Partner & CMO, Zinnov. “Awfis understands how to build environments that amplify talent and accelerate business outcomes.”

GCC Market Growth and Awfis’ Expansion

With the Indian GCC sector projected to grow from $46 billion to $85 billion by 2030, Awfis is rapidly expanding its footprint in key metros — Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi. Through a diversified portfolio including Awfis, Awfis Gold, and Elite, the company is uniquely equipped to support GCCs at every growth stage in their India journey.

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