Global tech consultancy Accenture is planning to set up a new campus in Andhra Pradesh, potentially adding 12,000 jobs to its already massive workforce in India. According to sources, the company has requested 10 acres of land in Visakhapatnam under a new state policy that incentivizes job creation through low-cost land leases.
Leveraging Andhra Pradesh’s Pro-Business Policy
The Andhra Pradesh government has introduced a unique scheme leasing land at just ₹0.99 per acre to IT firms that commit to generating large-scale employment. Similar deals have already attracted Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Cognizant, which together plan to create nearly 20,000 jobs in the port city. Accenture’s request is expected to receive government approval soon.
India: Accenture’s Global Talent Hub
India is already Accenture’s largest talent base, with 300,000 employees out of 790,000 worldwide. Expanding into Visakhapatnam will not only strengthen Accenture’s Indian operations but also align with the industry’s trend of moving to Tier-2 cities to take advantage of lower costs and local hiring opportunities. Post-pandemic hiring has shifted in favor of regional hubs, reversing the traditional migration to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.
Competitive Landscape and Investments
While the scale of Accenture’s investment in the new campus has not yet been disclosed, Cognizant is investing $183 million and TCS around $154 million for their facilities in the region. Accenture’s move signals intensifying competition among global IT service providers to expand in cost-efficient cities while still accessing a strong talent pool.
Global Policy Challenges Loom
The expansion comes amid external pressures on India’s IT sector. U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent policy imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, directly affecting companies like Accenture, TCS, and Cognizant, which rely heavily on this route to place skilled Indian talent in the U.S. Moreover, a proposed 25% outsourcing tax could trigger contract renegotiations, adding more uncertainty.
Outlook
If finalized, Accenture’s Visakhapatnam campus could become a cornerstone of its India operations, boosting local employment and strengthening Andhra Pradesh’s growing reputation as a Tier-2 tech hub. The move also highlights how domestic expansion is becoming critical for IT giants navigating global policy headwinds.
