In a bid to bolster youth employment and skill development, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out the Global Capability Centres (GCC) Policy 2025. Envisioned to generate over two lakh jobs, the policy offers financial incentives for internships, payroll reimbursements, training subsidies, and innovation support.

To promote skill development, eligible internships lasting at least two months will receive up to 50% cost reimbursement, capped at Rs 5,000 per student monthly for 50 interns annually. Companies training employees under the Skill Development Subsidy will get Rs 50,000 per trainee, with a maximum annual support of Rs 50 lakh.

Payroll support includes Rs 1.8 lakh per year for UP-resident employees and Rs 1.2 lakh for others, capped at Rs 20 crore per year. A Freshers Recruitment Subsidy of Rs 20,000 per hire will apply for those recruiting at least 30 college graduates annually.

Special incentives like full EPF reimbursement are provided to encourage hiring from marginalised groups, including women, SC/ST, and differently abled persons, up to Rs 1 crore annually.

While flagship firms like Microsoft and MAQ Software have already invested in Noida, the policy’s intent to attract GCCs to tier-2 cities suggests an effort to decentralise growth. However, critics note that long-term structural gaps in public education and rural digital access may limit policy reach without deeper systemic reforms.

The strategy leans heavily on private partnerships to drive outcomes, potentially underscoring the state’s reliance on external actors to fulfil core employment objectives.