Maharashtra GCC Policy 2025: Operational Guidelines clarify Eligibility, Incentives and Compliance Requirements
Introduction
The Government of Maharashtra has introduced the Maharashtra Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2025 (‘Policy’) to position the State as a leading destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), promote high-value investments and generate skilled employment. The Policy envisages attracting approximately 400 new GCCs and creating four lakh high-skilled jobs.
On 19 August 2026, the State issued the Operational Guidelines for the Policy, setting out the procedural framework for eligibility, registration, incentive claims and implementation. The Guidelines are intended to facilitate the practical implementation of the Policy and provide greater clarity to businesses seeking to establish or expand GCC operations in Maharashtra.
Key Changes and Clarifications
1. Eligibility and Classification of GCCs
The Policy applies to eligible units establishing GCCs, Global In-house Centres or Offshoring Units in Maharashtra to serve their parent organisations or global affiliates. Eligible units are classified according to prescribed investment and employment thresholds.
| Category | Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) | Employment |
| Small | ₹50 crore to below ₹100 crore | 100 to below 250 |
| Medium | ₹100 crore to below ₹250 crore | 250 to below 500 |
| Large | ₹250 crore to below ₹500 crore | 500 to below 750 |
| Mega | ₹500 crore to below ₹750 crore | 750 to below 1,000 |
| Ultra-Mega | ₹750 crore and above | 1,000 and above |
The Guidelines also prescribe conditions for recognising new investments and expansions. Investments and employment generated before 1 April 2025 are not counted towards the relevant thresholds. Existing operations that are merely relocated or restructured may not qualify as new investments. Expansion projects must satisfy the prescribed incremental investment and employment criteria.
2. Fiscal Incentives and Financial Assistance
Eligible GCCs may access a range of fiscal incentives, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria, prescribed limits and approval process.
Capital subsidy or rental assistance: Eligible units may opt for capital subsidy on qualifying plant and machinery or rental assistance, depending on the applicable category and location. The capital subsidy may extend up to 20% of eligible investment, subject to category-specific limits. Rental assistance varies according to the applicable zone and is available for the prescribed period. The two benefits are alternative options and cannot be claimed cumulatively for the same purpose.
Payroll subsidy: The Policy provides payroll support linked to eligible employee salaries, with different rates for Zone I and Zone II locations. The benefit is subject to employee-level and aggregate caps, prescribed retention conditions and the applicable claim procedure.
Other incentives: Depending on eligibility, GCCs may also be entitled to interest subsidy, power tariff subsidy, electricity duty exemption, patent filing assistance, green certification assistance, research and development support, and applicable stamp duty concessions. Certain benefits are subject to separate departmental notifications or the conditions of other applicable State policies.
The aggregate fiscal incentives remain subject to the overall ceiling prescribed under the Policy. Accordingly, the availability of any particular incentive should be assessed against the unit’s classification, location, eligible investment and the relevant conditions.
3. Registration and Claim Procedure
The Guidelines establish a staged approval and registration process. Eligible applicants are required to obtain the applicable Letter of Intent (LOI), followed by the prescribed registration and eligibility documentation after commencing operations at the approved location. Additional approval requirements apply to Mega and Ultra-Mega units.
An LOI should not be treated as an unconditional entitlement to incentives. Eligibility and disbursement remain subject to compliance with the applicable requirements and approval process.
Incentive claims must be filed within the prescribed timelines. The Guidelines provide for consequences in the event of delayed filing, including reductions in eligible claims and eventual lapse. GCCs should therefore maintain appropriate documentation and internal processes to ensure timely submission of claims.
4. Compliance, Monitoring and Recovery
Beneficiaries are required to comply with applicable reporting and monitoring requirements, together with relevant labour, environmental, fire-safety and other statutory obligations. The Guidelines prescribe an operative period linked to the unit’s registration and require eligible units to fulfil the conditions applicable to their incentives.
Non-compliance, submission of incorrect information or failure to satisfy prescribed conditions may result in cancellation of benefits and recovery of incentives, in accordance with the applicable framework. The Commissionerate of Services is identified as the implementing agency for the Policy.
5. Clarification on Diversity-Linked Payroll Support
The Policy and the Operational Guidelines appear to refer to different per-employee ceilings for the additional payroll support associated with diversity hiring. The stated figures should be reconciled with the implementing authority before businesses rely on this component when estimating their incentive entitlement.
Regulatory Perspective
The Operational Guidelines provide a more structured framework for implementing the Maharashtra GCC Policy 2025, particularly in relation to classification, registration, incentive claims and compliance. For businesses considering a new GCC or an expansion in Maharashtra, the principal considerations will be the applicable eligibility category, location-based incentives, documentation requirements and the timelines for submitting claims.
A careful assessment of the Policy and the Guidelines is advisable before making investment decisions or incorporating anticipated incentives into financial projections. Incentives should be treated as conditional benefits rather than automatic entitlements.
Conclusion
The Maharashtra GCC Policy 2025 and its Operational Guidelines establish a framework intended to encourage investment, skilled employment and the growth of GCCs across the State. Businesses proposing to establish or expand GCC operations should evaluate the relevant eligibility criteria, available incentives and continuing compliance obligations before proceeding with an application.