You might think Bangalore and Hyderabad are the only names in the game. But there's more. Cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR (which includes Gurgaon, Noida, New Delhi) are no longer just backup options. They're becoming powerhouses. Let's ask: why now?

Because demand is spreading out & the cost of staying in one place is rising

• Bangalore is overloaded. Traffic, housing costs, infrastructure stress. Companies and people are feeling it.

• So they're looking to cities where costs (real estate, operations, living) are lower, but talent is still good. Places like Pune or Gurgaon deliver that sweet spot.

Because talent isn't centralized any more

• Educational institutions in these metros are pumping out skilled grads. Pune, for example, has dozens of engineering colleges and good tech/training infrastructure.

• Freshers' job postings are highest in Delhi-NCR, even more than in Bangalore in many reports. That tells you companies are willing to invest in new talent in these cities

Because Global Capability Centers (GCCs), IT-ITeS firms, and corporate leasing are shifting

• Pune has seen a 70% surge in GCCs in the last few years from ~210 in 2019 to over 360 in 2024.

• Delhi-NCR sees a 61% year-on-year growth in net office absorption (ie more companies taking up office space) in 2024, much of it from tech/GCC sectors. 

Because infrastructure is improving & policy is (somewhat) catching up

• Better connectivity (airports, highways, metro/rail), better power, more reliable internet are becoming table stakes. Cities are responding.

• Governments are offering policies and incentives for tech parks, SEZs, and investment in R&D/Creative Tech (AVGC etc.). For example, Maharashtra’s new policy for the Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics, XR tech sector.

Where each metro stands & its special strengths

Let’s talk about what makes each of these cities uniquely competitive. If you’re deciding where to build, work, invest: this helps.

What shifts are happening (so you can see where the wind is blowing)

These aren’t just trends. They’re shifts that are changing how “tech city” works in India. We (you, me, companies) are part of this.

More remote & hybrid work = geography matters less

You know what changed since COVID? Companies realized they need less “everyone in one city all the time.” That means people in Noida, Gurgaon, Mumbai suburbs, etc., can access good jobs without moving to Bangalore. And companies are more open to hiring across locations.

Office real-estate is adapting

• Flexible spaces, co-working hubs are on the rise. Not just fancy tall glass towers. Offices closer to where people live. Less commute.

• Office absorption rising sharply in NCR because of GCCs and tech firms taking space. That shows demand is real, not hype.

Deepening of tech beyond services

• It’s not just support or “body shops” anymore. GCCs are taking up product work, R&D, and innovation. For example, Pune’s GCCs are no longer just doing support; they are leading global engineering/innovation charters.

• Creative tech (gaming, AV/VR/AR, animation) is getting policy push. Delhi & Maharashtra are active.

What this means for you (if you’re working, starting up, or deciding where to live)

Because this matters: knowing this helps you make better choices.

If you are a job seeker

• More opportunities near your home city than ever. Don’t assume you must move to Bangalore.

• Entry-level roles are growing fastest in Delhi-NCR; also good prospects in Pune etc.

• But salary trade-offs exist: pay might be lower than in Bangalore/Hyderabad/Product hubs. However, lower cost of living can even it out.

If you are a founder or part of a startup

• Consider locating or expanding in these metros. Infrastructure & talent are getting better. Real estate is cheaper.

• Access to clients & customers may be easier in NCR, Mumbai, etc.

• But ensure you have good connectivity (internet, travel), and you understand local ecosystems (labs, government policy, incentives).

If you are in policy or planning

• You need to support the spread: better transport, affordable housing, internet reliability.

• Incentives that attract GCC / R&D / Creative Tech can help.

• But careful planning is needed; we don’t want the same congestion & infrastructure failures replicating in these rising metros.

Are there downsides? Where are the trade-offs?

Yes. Every advantage comes with challenges. It isn’t all smooth sailing. Let’s call them out honestly.

• Quality of life can lag. Even if jobs come, things like traffic, pollution, housing availability, schools, health infrastructure can be lacking.

• Skill gaps. Some metros don’t yet have the same depth in certain specialized tech skills (for example, deep-AI, hardware design) as Bangalore or Hyderabad.

• Cost surprises. Real estate seems cheaper, but other costs like commuting, power, logistics, cost of goods can add up.

• Talent retention. If you hire people in Noida/Gurgaon but they prefer living in more “hip” places (weather, recreation, social life), you may see attrition.

So … is the “Tier-II City Tech Revolution” just another buzzword, or real?

It’s very real. Not every city is perfect yet. But what we see in places like Pune, Delhi-NCR, Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai is not a fad. It’s a durable shift. Companies are making long-term investment. People are moving. Policy is catching up. Real estate is following demand. Tech work is entering new geographies.

What should you do now ?

Here are action items. Things you can do to benefit.

• If you are job hunting: apply broadly in these metros. Don’t narrow yourself to one city.

• Build skills that are in demand across metros (AI/ML, cloud, cybersecurity, creative tech). That makes you portable.

• For startups: explore setting up satellite offices in Pune/NCR. Lower cost, still many amenities.

• For businesses: consider hybrid office models or multi-city presence to tap into cheaper talent & spread risk.

• Keep tabs on infrastructure/policy announcements in these metros. They can create big advantages.

Summary:

We’ve seen that Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, and Delhi-NCR (Gurgaon, Noida, New Delhi) are all stepping up as India’s new IT capitals. Not because one thing changed, but because many small pieces shifted together:

• Talent is more available in more places.

• Infrastructure and policies are improving.

• Cost pressures are pushing firms to look elsewhere.

• Global and domestic demand for tech/GCC work continues to rise.

For you, this means more choices. Not just to live in a metro, but to live in the metro that fits your preferences, cost constraints, lifestyle. It means you can find good tech jobs closer to home. It means startups have more feasible locations. And it means India's tech map is getting more balanced.