Driven by the growth in infrastructure, expertise, the startup environment, and government-led efforts, 26 secondary cities are on the rise as the forthcoming tech centers, according to a study by Deloitte India and Nasscom. This list encompasses cities like Chandigarh, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhopal, and many more.
The cost for talent in these up-and-coming tech centers is approximately 25%-30% less than in established hubs. Moreover, there’s a 50% reduction in real estate leasing expenses relative to those hubs. Given these advantages, these cities are strategically positioned to bolster India’s ascent as a leading digital talent destination, the study emphasizes.
Currently, 11% – 15% of India’s technological workforce is situated in secondary and tertiary cities. As the decentralization trend accelerates, this provides numerous opportunities for residents of these cities.
Interestingly, the study points out that a significant 60% of Indian graduates from fields like engineering and arts are located in smaller municipalities.
Further, the study reveals that more than 140 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) have already set up operations in these cities, indicating the escalating global corporate interest.
Not just limited to cost-related benefits, these secondary cities are also evolving as hubs for creativity and innovation. Approximately 39% of the nation’s startups, which is over 7,000 in number, are rooted in these cities, ranging across sectors from advanced tech to business process management (BPM).
