Uttar Pradesh is promoting Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi as Global Capability Centre (GCC) hubs, backed by comprehensive incentives and infrastructure projects. According to UP Principal Secretary (Planning & Programme Implementation and IT & Electronics) Alok Kumar, the state's urban infrastructure, vast talent pool, significant working-age population, and top institutes like IIT Kanpur, IIM Lucknow, and IIT BHU can be leveraged by businesses eyeing long-term growth. While Noida and Greater Noida are now established GCC hubs in North India, key towns including Lucknow, Kanpur, and Varanasi are gaining traction from offshore investors scouting for opportunities in the Tier-II spectrum.
Major infrastructure projects including Noida International Airport (NIA), proposed Singapore City and Fintech Park in Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), expressway network and industrial reforms have cemented the state's stature as a preferred destination for GCC and strategic investments. The UP GCC Policy 2024 offers substantial benefits including 30-50 per cent land subsidy, 100 per cent stamp duty exemption, 25 per cent capital subsidy, operational expenditure support of up to ₹80 crore annually, payroll-linked incentives, reimbursement of Employee Provident Fund, and research & development support. The state's focus is on sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drone technology.
Recently, UP has emerged as the top-performing landlocked state in India by securing the 'Exemplar' status in the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2025 rankings. After being recognised as an 'Achiever' from 2022-24, Uttar Pradesh has now advanced to the highest category, reflecting the state's transformation in logistics infrastructure, connectivity, and policy-driven industrial growth. The rankings evaluate states across critical parameters including logistics infrastructure, services, and regulatory efficiency through objective and perception-based indicators.
UP is accelerating logistics growth by encouraging private investment and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models across logistics parks, warehousing facilities, rural godowns, and cold-chain infrastructure. To strengthen connectivity, strategic hubs are being developed near expressways, freight corridors, and airports, positioning the state as a logistics powerhouse. A GCC is an offshore unit of multinational corporations to perform strategic functions and operations, harnessing global talent as well as cost and operational efficiencies.
