Yes, and more than a few years ago. GCCs and IT companies are opening or growing centres beyond the big metros, and reports in 2026 showed tier-2 GCC hiring growing faster than the metros. The pool of roles is still smaller than Bengaluru or Hyderabad, so combine local applications with remote and metro roles, and research each centre's teams before you apply.
What people tell me
I live in a tier-2 city in India and I would prefer not to move to Bengaluru or Hyderabad because of family and living costs. Everyone says good tech jobs are only in the metros. I have heard some companies are opening offices in smaller cities. Are there real tech jobs in tier-2 cities now, and how do I find them?
A composite of the messages behind this question, with personal details left out.
Key takeaways
- Tier-2 GCC hiring grew faster than metro hiring in 2026 reports, from a smaller base.
- Emerging hubs named in industry reports include cities such as Coimbatore, Kochi and Ahmedabad.
- The number of openings is still much smaller than in Bengaluru or Hyderabad.
- Search parent company careers pages filtered by city, not just "GCC" or "IT jobs".
- Remote and hybrid roles add options without moving.
What changed
Companies look at tier-2 cities for lower costs, lower attrition and local talent. Business Today's July 2026 report on GCC hiring said Bengaluru still held about 30% of GCC hiring, but tier-2 cities grew fastest, at around 23% year on year. ANSR's 2026 talent report named emerging hubs such as Coimbatore, Kochi and Ahmedabad. Large IT services companies also run centres in many smaller cities.
So the trend is real. But it starts from a smaller base: there are still far fewer openings in any single tier-2 city than in a metro.
Where tier-2 roles come from
| Source | What to know |
|---|---|
| GCC centres in smaller cities | Often newer teams; look on the parent company's careers page |
| IT services delivery centres | Large intake, structured training |
| Local product companies and startups | Fewer roles, but more ownership |
| Hybrid roles at metro companies | Some allow most work from home after onboarding |
| Fully remote roles | Global competition, but no relocation |
How to find them
- Make a list of companies with a centre in or near your city. Search news and LinkedIn for "new centre" announcements, then go to each company's own careers site and filter by city.
- Follow local tech communities. Meetups, college alumni groups and city-based LinkedIn groups often share openings first.
- Apply early when a new centre opens. New centres hire in waves, and freshers have a better chance in the first waves.
- Do not ignore support, QA and data roles. Moving internally is easier once you are in. How do I move from QA to software development? explains the path.
- Add remote roles to your search. How do I find a remote job that pays in dollars? covers the global side.
Trade-offs to weigh
Tier-2 centres can offer lower living costs and a better work-life balance, but salaries are often lower than metro roles, and the local job market is thinner if you want to switch. Many people do two or three years in a metro, then move closer to home with experience. That is a valid plan too.
Prepare for the same bar
Selection is not easier in smaller cities. The university to job-ready roadmap and job search roadmap cover what to build and how to run a search. If GCCs are your target, read How do I apply to a GCC as a fresher?.
A simple target list template
| Company | Centre city | Team or function | Careers page checked | Contact or referral | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fill it with 20 to 30 companies within a reasonable commute or open to remote work, and update it weekly. A list turns a vague "there are no jobs here" into a set of concrete openings and people to contact.
Remote work from a tier-2 city
Internet and power reliability, a quiet workspace and overlap with the team's hours all matter for remote roles. If you can show you have these sorted, you remove a common worry for hiring managers.
If you are still stuck
Choosing between employers? Read GCC, service company or product company: which is best for a fresher? If you want help building a target list for your city, join Sefism and, as a member, book a 1:1 session.
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- Most In-Demand Tech Skills in India in 2026, Backed by Hiring DataAgentic AI engineer demand is up 260%, AI/ML hiring is up 20% while IT services fell 4%, and specialist salaries keep rising. The in-demand tech skills in India in 2026, the honest catch for each, and how to choose your next skill.
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