Accenture is set to expand its footprint in India with a proposed new campus in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, a move expected to generate around 12,000 jobs, according to three sources cited by Reuters. The project will take advantage of the state government’s policy that offers leased land at just 0.99 rupees per acre to large employers. Similar benefits have already attracted Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Cognizant, both of which are developing large campuses in the region.
India remains the global hub for Accenture’s talent pool, employing more than 300,000 of its 790,000-strong workforce worldwide. A state government official expressed confidence about the proposal’s approval, saying, “It is not an unreasonable ask by Accenture, and the proposal will go through.” While the scale of investment has not yet been revealed, the initiative underscores the consulting giant’s commitment to scaling operations in India.
Accenture’s plans follow a trend of major IT companies shifting part of their growth strategy to Tier-2 cities like Visakhapatnam. This shift is driven by lower infrastructure costs, reduced wages compared to metros, and the opportunity to hire locally in the post-pandemic environment. TCS and Cognizant, for instance, have already secured land under Andhra Pradesh’s employment-linked leasing program. Their campuses are projected to bring nearly 20,000 jobs, backed by investments of $154 million and $183 million respectively.
The Visakhapatnam expansion comes at a time of rising global headwinds. Recent U.S. policy changes, including a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications and a proposed 25% tax on outsourcing by American companies, are reshaping the economics of global IT delivery. Such developments are expected to accelerate the trend of localizing talent in India, making large-scale campuses an attractive and strategic option for multinational IT and consulting firms.
By anchoring operations in Andhra Pradesh, Accenture not only strengthens its Indian base but also signals confidence in India’s growing role as a global technology and services hub. The project is anticipated to play a pivotal role in regional job creation, boosting Visakhapatnam’s status as an emerging IT destination.
