The Government of Maharashtra has issued the Operational Guidelines for implementation of the Maharashtra Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy, 2025 vide Government Resolution No. GCC-2025 /C.R.320 /Industries-2-Department Industries, Investment, Services & Mining Department, Government of Maharashtra Dated 19 August 2026
The Guidelines have been issued pursuant to the Maharashtra GCC Policy, 2025, notified vide Government Resolution dated 03 November 2025, and provide the detailed procedural and institutional framework for implementation of the incentives available under the Policy.
The Operational Guidelines cover, inter alia, eligibility and classification of GCC units, Letter of Intent (LOI), Registration Certificate (RC), Incentive Eligibility Letter (IEL), competent authorities, incentive claim and disbursement procedures, monitoring, recovery and appeal mechanism.
- Who Can Qualify as a GCC
Under the Operational Guidelines, a GCC is essentially required to operate as a captive center serving its parent company, group entities or global affiliates.
Eligible activities may include, amongst others:
- Accounting & Reporting
- Advanced Analytics
- Centres of Excellence
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Financial Management / FP&A
- Global Supply Chain Management
- HR Analytics and Talent Management
- Internal Audit & Controls
- Research & Development
- Strategic Planning
- Treasury Management
- Product Design & Development
BPO operations, call centres, unrelated third-party service delivery and pure sales/marketing/distribution activities are generally outside the GCC framework.
- GCC Eligibility Classification
A GCC may qualify by satisfying the prescribed threshold of Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) OR Direct Employment.
| GCC Category | Fixed Capital Investment | Direct Employment |
| Small | ₹50 Cr and above but below ₹100 Cr | 100 to below 250 |
| Medium | ₹100 Cr and above but below ₹250 Cr | 250 to below 500 |
| Large | ₹250 Cr and above but below ₹500 Cr | 500 to below 750 |
| Mega | ₹500 Cr and above but below ₹750 Cr | 750 to below 1,000 |
| Ultra-Mega | ₹750 Cr and above | 1,000 and above |
Key Eligibility Conditions
- Eligibility can be based on FCI or Direct Employment.
- Minimum prescribed Direct Employment is required to be created within 2 years from commencement of commercial operations.
- Where eligibility is employment-based, qualifying employment is required to be maintained throughout the relevant year.
- Aggregate State Government fiscal incentives are subject to the prescribed overall IPS cap of 100% of FCI.
- For GCCs operating entirely on a rental/lease model without FCI, total fiscal incentives are capped at two times the annual rent paid in the first year, subject to continued operation during the prescribed operative period.
- New GCC and Expansion GCC
The Guidelines provide greater clarity on classification of projects as New GCC Units and Expansion GCC Units.
A New GCC should not merely arise from shifting, relocation, transfer, redeployment, rebadging or continuation of existing operations/employees.
An Expansion GCC Unit is generally required to result in at least:
- 25% increase in existing Gross Fixed Capital Investment; and
- 25% additional employment in the non-supervisory category.
Only incremental eligible investment and incremental employment generated after the prescribed cut-off date are considered for expansion benefits.
The eligible investment period generally commences from 01 April 2025.
- Zone Classification
| Zone | Coverage |
| Zone I | Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR) |
| Zone II | Rest of Maharashtra |
The Zone classification is important since the quantum of several incentives varies depending upon location.
- Summary of Major Incentives
| Incentive | Broad Eligibility | Benefit / Entitlement |
| Capital Subsidy | Eligible GCCs | Up to 20% of eligible Plant & Machinery FCI, subject to category ceiling |
| Rental Assistance | New GCC Units | Zone I – 10%; Zone II – 20% of eligible rent |
| Payroll Subsidy | New & Expansion GCCs | Zone I – 40%; Zone II – 50% of eligible salary component |
| Interest Subsidy | Zone II GCCs | Up to 5% on eligible term loans |
| Power Tariff Subsidy | GCC with valid RC | Zone I – ₹1/unit; Zone II – ₹2/unit |
| Electricity Duty Exemption | GCC with valid RC | Electricity Duty exemption for 10 years |
| Patent Filing Assistance | Eligible Indian-owned GCC | 50% reimbursement subject to prescribed caps |
| Green Certification Support | GCC obtaining GRIHA/IGBC/LEED | 30% reimbursement, maximum ₹50,000 |
| R&D Grant | Eligible R&D GCC | 25% reimbursement, subject to prescribed ceilings |
| Stamp Duty Exemption | Eligible GCC / prescribed instruments | 50% / 75% / 100%, depending upon location and transaction |
The Guidelines operationalize the above incentives subject to the eligibility conditions, approvals, documentation and claim procedures prescribed therein.
- Capital Subsidy
Capital Subsidy is available on eligible Plant & Machinery forming part of FCI and acquired after 01.04.2025.
| GCC Category | Maximum Capital Subsidy |
| Small | 20% or ₹10 Cr, whichever is lower |
| Medium | 20% or ₹20 Cr, whichever is lower |
| Large | 20% or ₹50 Cr, whichever is lower |
| Mega | 20% or ₹100 Cr, whichever is lower, subject to SLEC approval |
| Ultra-Mega | Customised package, subject to SLEC approval |
Capital Subsidy is disbursed in 5 equal annual instalments, subject to continued eligible GCC operations.
Important: A GCC availing Capital Subsidy is not eligible for Rental Assistance.
- Rental Assistance
Rental Assistance is available only to New GCC Units.
| Location | Assistance |
| Zone I | 10% of actual rent / Ready Reckoner Rate, whichever is lower |
| Zone II | 20% of actual rent / Ready Reckoner Rate, whichever is lower |
Annual Ceiling
| GCC Category | Maximum Annual Assistance |
| Small | ₹1 Cr |
| Medium | ₹2 Cr |
| Large | ₹3 Cr |
| Mega / Ultra-Mega | ₹4 Cr |
The assistance is available annually for up to 5 years.
Rent paid on or after 01.04.2025, or the applicable Ready Reckoner Rate for 2025, whichever is lower, forms the eligible base.
- Payroll Subsidy
Available to New and Expansion GCC Units.
| Particular | Zone I | Zone II |
| Subsidy | 40% | 50% |
| Eligible Component | Basic Salary + HRA above prescribed threshold | Basic Salary + HRA above prescribed threshold |
| Maximum per employee | ₹50,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Maximum employees | 100 per GCC/year | 100 per GCC/year |
| Period | 3 years | 3 years |
| Annual GCC cap | ₹5 Cr | ₹5 Cr |
An additional 10% support, with benefit up to ₹55,000 per employee, is available where the prescribed diversity-hiring condition is satisfied.
The eligible Indian on-roll employee strength committed for the subsidy is required to be maintained for a continuous period of 3 years, and disbursement is linked to this retention requirement.
- Interest Subsidy
Interest Subsidy is available to eligible GCC units in Zone II.
| Particular | Entitlement |
| Subsidy | Up to 5% on eligible term loans |
| Annual Ceiling | ₹5 Cr |
| Overall Ceiling | ₹25 Cr per GCC |
| Additional Cap | Not exceeding 10% of FCI |
| Period | 5 years |
Eligible loans broadly include specified term loans from Scheduled Commercial Banks, eligible RBI-registered NBFCs and All India Financial Institutions for acquisition of new fixed assets.
Unsecured loans and private borrowings are excluded.
- Power Tariff Subsidy and Electricity Duty Exemption
| Benefit | Zone I | Zone II | Period |
| Power Tariff Subsidy | ₹1/unit | ₹2/unit | 5 years |
| Annual Ceiling | ₹20 lakh | ₹20 lakh | Per GCC Unit |
| Electricity Duty Exemption | Exemption | Exemption | 10 years |
Electricity Duty Exemption is available for 10 years from the date of issuance of the Electricity Duty Exemption Certificate.
However, implementation of the Electricity Duty Exemption is subject to a separate notification by the Energy Department under the applicable Electricity Duty law.
- Patent, Green Certification and R&D Benefits
| Incentive | Entitlement |
| Domestic Patent Filing | 50% reimbursement, maximum ₹5 lakh |
| International Patent Filing | 50% reimbursement, maximum ₹10 lakh |
| Overall Patent Assistance | Maximum ₹50 lakh per eligible GCC |
| Green Certification – GRIHA/IGBC/LEED | 30% reimbursement, maximum ₹50,000 |
| R&D Grant | 25% reimbursement, up to ₹50 lakh per year for 4 years |
| Overall R&D Ceiling | ₹2 Cr per GCC |
| University Collaboration | Additional 10% subsidy for eligible collaboration with Maharashtra-based Universities |
For R&D Grant, the GCC is required to undertake eligible R&D activities in Maharashtra and allocate minimum 2% of FCI in Plant & Machinery towards R&D.
- Stamp Duty Exemption
The Operational Guidelines prescribe differential Stamp Duty Exemption depending upon the location and nature of the eligible GCC transaction.
| Nature / Location | Exemption |
| New GCC / Expansion in Public or Private IT Parks – Zone II | 100% |
| New GCC / Expansion in Public IT Parks – Zone I | 75% |
| New GCC / Expansion in Private IT Parks – Zone I | 50% |
| Eligible GCC in IT Parks in SEZ / STPI | 100% |
| Merger / Demerger / Reconstruction of registered GCCs | 75% |
| Purchase of land/premises for setting up New GCC / Expansion throughout Maharashtra | 100% |
Applications are subject to the prescribed conditions, eligible instruments and documentation under the Operational Guidelines.
- Approval & Certification Framework
| Process | Small GCC | Medium / Large GCC | Mega / Ultra-Mega GCC |
| LOI / Renewal | Regional Joint Commissioner (Industries & Services) | Commissioner (Services) | Commissioner (Services)* |
| RC / Renewal | Regional Joint Commissioner | Commissioner (Services) | Commissioner (Services) |
| Incentive Claim Sanction | Regional Joint Commissioner | Commissioner (Services) | Commissioner (Services) |
| Disbursement Order | Government as per sanction | Government as per sanction | Government as per sanction |
| Disbursement Authority | Commissioner (Services) | Commissioner (Services) | Commissioner (Services) |
Mega and Ultra-Mega GCCs are required to first approach the Industries, Investment & Services Department for an Offer Letter. Ultra-Mega GCCs may also be considered for a customised package of incentives with prior SLEC approval.
- LOI, Registration & Incentive Claim Timeline
| Particular | Requirement |
| LOI – Small / Medium / Large | 3 years |
| LOI – Mega / Ultra-Mega | 5 years |
| Registration Certificate | 3 years; renewable every 3 years |
| Incentive Eligibility | RC + Incentive Eligibility Letter (IEL) |
| Annual Incentive Claim | Within 11 months from close of relevant financial year |
| Delay – First 6 months | 10% deduction |
| Further 6 months delay | Additional 10% deduction |
| Thereafter | Claim lapses |
| Appeal against adverse/recovery order | Within 45 days |
Except for Stamp Duty Exemption, fiscal incentives are generally admissible only after issuance of the Registration Certificate along with the Incentive Eligibility Letter (IEL).
The LOI itself does not confer an automatic right to incentives. Eligible units must commence operations, obtain RC and IEL and thereafter submit the prescribed incentive claim.
- Broad Approval Flow
Project Evaluation / GCC Structuring
↓
Eligibility Classification – New / Expansion
↓
Determine Zone & FCI / Employment Category
↓
Offer Letter, wherever applicable
↓
Letter of Intent (LOI)
↓
Project Implementation & Commencement of Operations
↓
Registration Certificate (RC) + Incentive Eligibility Letter (IEL)
↓
Annual Incentive Claim
↓
Sanction & Government Disbursement Order
↓
Incentive Disbursement / Exemption
↓
Annual Monitoring & Compliance
- Continuing Compliance
Units availing incentives are required to maintain prescribed operational, investment, employment and statutory records during the operative period.
Annual reporting covers, amongst others:
- Investment and fixed assets;
- Direct and indirect employment;
- Operational status;
- Electricity and water consumption;
- Statutory compliance;
- Incentives availed;
- Employment records / EPF data;
- GST records;
- Electricity bills; and
- Geo-tagged photographs of operations.
Misrepresentation, suppression of information, failure to remain operational or violation of prescribed conditions can result in withdrawal/recovery of incentives and cancellation of LOI/RC, apart from applicable penalties.
- Reference to Prescribed Formats: For ease of reference, the relevant Application Forms, Annexures, Affidavits, Undertakings and Certificates prescribed under the Operational Guidelines are compiled. Readers are advised to refer to the respective prescribed formats along with the Operational Guidelines issued on 19th August 2026 while evaluating eligibility, making applications and claiming incentives under the Maharashtra GCC Policy, 2025.
Annexures / Prescribed Forms – Quick Reference
| Annexure | Particulars / Purpose |
| Annexure I | Application for Letter of Intent (LOI) / Renewal of LOI |
| Annexure I(A) | Affidavit for obtaining LOI / Renewal of LOI – on ₹500 non-judicial stamp paper, notarized |
| Annexure I(B) | Undertaking for LOI / Renewal of LOI |
| Annexure II | Application Form for Registration Certificate (RC) |
| Annexure II(A) | Affidavit for obtaining Registration Certificate (RC) – on ₹500 non-judicial stamp paper, notarized |
| Annexure III | Detailed Project Report (DPR) Format – covering project profile, parent entity, investment, employment, premises, financing and implementation details |
| Annexure IV | Common Application Form for claiming Fiscal Incentives – Capital Subsidy, Rental Assistance, Payroll Subsidy, Interest Subsidy, Power Tariff Subsidy, Patent Filing, Green Certification and R&D Grant |
| Annexure IV(A) | Undertaking for availing Fiscal Incentives |
| Annexure V | Auditor’s Certificate for Power Tariff Subsidy |
| Annexure VI | Application for Electricity Duty Exemption |
| Annexure VI(A) | Affidavit for Electricity Duty Exemption Certificate – on ₹500 non-judicial stamp paper, duly noterised/as applicable |
| Annexure VII | CA Certificate for expenditure incurred on Patent Filing / Green Certification Support / R&D Grant |
| Annexure VIII | Application for Stamp Duty Exemption for New GCC Units |
| Annexure VIII(A) | Affidavit for Stamp Duty Exemption Certificate for New Unit – on ₹500 non-judicial stamp paper, duly notarized/as applicable |
| Annexure IX | Application for Renewal of Registration Certificate (RC) |
| Annexure IX(A) | Affidavit for Renewal of Registration Certificate (RC) – on ₹500 non-judicial stamp paper, notarized |
| Annexure X | Annual Report for Units availing Fiscal Incentives – covering operations, investment/assets, employment, utilities, compliance and incentives availed |
- Key Points for Companies
Companies proposing to establish or expand GCC operations in Maharashtra should undertake an eligibility and incentive assessment at the planning stage itself, particularly before making substantial investments or executing property-related documents.
The following aspects should be reviewed upfront:
Nature of GCC Activities → Captive Structure → New / Expansion Classification → Zone I / Zone II → FCI / Employment Threshold → Eligible Investment from 01.04.2025 → LOI → RC + IEL → Incentive Selection → Claim Documentation → Continuing Compliance
Special attention should be given to:
- Segregation of investment made before and after 01.04.2025;
- Classification as New GCC or Expansion GCC;
- Employment generation and employee retention requirements;
- Property ownership / lease tenure and documentation;
- Parent / group service arrangements;
- Plant & Machinery and eligible FCI;
- Payroll structuring for payroll subsidy;
- Statutory approvals and compliances; and
- Timely filing of incentive claims.
Companies should also carry out a comparative benefit analysis between Capital Subsidy and Rental Assistance, since both cannot be availed simultaneously.
Conclusion
The Operational Guidelines issued vide Government Resolution No. GCC-2025/C.R.320/Industries-2 dated 19 August 2026 are a significant development for companies establishing or expanding Global Capability Centres in Maharashtra.
The Guidelines convert the broad incentive framework under the Maharashtra GCC Policy, 2025 into a structured implementation mechanism covering eligibility, classification, approvals, incentive entitlement, claim procedure and continuing compliance.
Existing and prospective GCCs should therefore undertake a project-specific eligibility and incentive assessment to determine the optimum benefits available and ensure that investments, employment, premises arrangements and documentation are structured in accordance with the Operational Guidelines.
Disclaimer: This is a summarized note prepared for general circulation based on the Operational Guidelines issued vide the aforesaid Government Resolution. The contents are intended for general information and reference only. Actual eligibility, applicability and entitlement to incentives shall be determined on a case-to-case basis, having regard to the nature and location of the project, investment and employment criteria, applicable terms and conditions, subsequent
