Maharashtra approves operational guidelines for Global Capability Centre Policy 2025

Mumbai, Aug 20 (IANS) The Maharashtra government has officially approved and notified the operational guidelines and standard operating procedures for implementing the Maharashtra Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2025.

The formal Government Resolution (GR), issued by Dr P. Anbalagan, Principal Secretary (Industries, Investment, and Services) on Wednesday, establishes a comprehensive framework to govern fiscal and non-fiscal incentives offered to captive global hubs establishing or expanding operations in the state.

The policy aims to position Maharashtra as a prime global hub for technology, research and development (R&D), and specialised business functions. The policy applies exclusively to fully integrated captive hubs set up by multinational corporations (MNCs) or Indian global entities to serve their parent or group companies. Call centres, business process outsourcing (BPO) units, and pure sales or distribution entities are explicitly excluded from availing incentives under this policy.

Projects are categorised into five tiers based on Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) or Direct Employment created within two years of commercial operation. The small category projects with minimum capital investment of Rs 50-100 crore will have job potential of 250-500, medium Rs 100-250 crore with jobs of 500-750, large Rs 250-500 crore with 750-1,000 jobs, mega Rs 500-750 crore with 1,000 plus jobs and ultra mega with above Rs 750 crore and 1,000 plus jobs.

According to the GR, Zone I covers the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR), while Zone II encompasses the remainder of Maharashtra to promote balanced regional growth. Eligible units are granted a range of financial benefits based on their location and setup model. Capital Subsidy up to 20 per cent subsidy on plant and machinery investments made after April 1, 2025, will be capped from Rs 10 crore for Small units up to Rs 100 Crore for Mega units (disbursed in 5 equal annual instalments).

New GCC units opting for rented premises can claim 10 per cent (Zone I) or 20 per cent (Zone II) of actual rent/ready-reckoner rate, capped annually from Rs 1 crore to Rs 4 crore. Units cannot combine capital subsidy with rental assistance. Payroll Subsidy will be up to Rs 50,000 per employee annually for up to 100 employees over three years. An additional 10 per cent subsidy bonus is granted to units maintaining at least 50 per cent diversity in hiring (women and persons with disabilities).

The GCCs will be entitled to a 100 per cent stamp duty exemption for acquisitions/leases in Zone II IT Parks, SEZs, and STPIs, and 75 per cent in Zone I Public IT Parks and a complete waiver from Electricity Duty for 10 years. Further, GCCs will get R&D and Sustainability Grants up to Rs 50 Lakh annually (25 per cent reimbursement) with an extra 10 per cent top-up for joint research collaborations with Maharashtra-based universities. Green building certification expenses are reimbursed up to 30 per cent.

The Commissionerate of Services will act as the primary implementing authority responsible for issuing Registration Certificates and disbursing incentives. The Maharashtra GCC Growth Council, chaired by the Principal Secretary (Industries), will act as an overarching think tank. A dedicated Policy Monitoring Unit (PMU) has been allocated 1 per cent of the total policy budget (capped at Rs 10 Crore annually) for global promotion, capacity building, and impact assessment.

The GR mentioned that beneficiary units must remain operational for a minimum operative period of ten (10) years from the date of initial registration. Non-compliance or furnishing false information will trigger immediate withdrawal of benefits and strict monetary recovery with penalties.

The government’s move to release the operational guidelines for GCCs comes days after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on August 11 announced that the Maharashtra government is determined to make the state India’s leading and most preferred destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

Speaking at the GCCProj Leadership Summit, the Chief Minister outlined an ambitious target to establish 400 new GCCs, generate 4,00,000 high-skilled jobs, and attract Rs 50,000 crore in investments. He highlighted how the nature of GCCs in India has fundamentally evolved from low-cost back-office assistance to high-value innovation nodes.

“By 2030, Global Capability Centres will no longer be limited to support operations. They will serve as core hubs for engineering, artificial intelligence, product development, cybersecurity, financial services, data analytics, and research and development (R&D),” CM Fadnavis said, adding that key strategic decisions for global enterprises will increasingly originate from these centres.

–IANS

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