Jain says India’s property sector has undergone remarkable transformation
India’s real estate sector is at an inflection point, with urbanization set to rise from 35% to nearly 50% by 2047, fundamentally reshaping demand and development patterns, says Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman Emeritus of NAREDCO (National Real Estate Development Council) Maharashtra which organised a conclave.
“The industry has already transitioned from reliance on family funding to more institutionalized capital through private equity and REITs and is steadily evolving into a global asset class. However, persistent challenges around land availability, pricing and financing need to be addressed,” he said.
Dr Hiranandani spoke at EXCELERATE 2026, a premier international conclave organized by NAREDCO Maharashtra NextGen in Mumbai.
He further emphasized that ESG considerations, transparency, and compliance will be critical, adding that the sector must evolve from constructing buildings to developing integrated platforms and asset classes. Emerging segments such as senior living, warehousing, and asset management platforms are expected to drive the next growth cycle, with infrastructure acting as the key catalyst.
The conclave organizers, led by industry stalwarts, said in a release on 3 April that the Indian real estate landscape is undergoing a monumental structural shift, transitioning from traditional family-funded models to a globally integrated, institutionalized asset class.
The event brought together over 750 delegates, including global investors, policymakers, and industry titans, to deliberate on the rapid evolution of the sector driven by urbanization, regulatory transparency, and innovative financing vehicles like REITs and Small & Medium REITs (SM REITs).
“India’s real estate sector is experiencing strong growth driven by a decade of reforms, including the RERA, GST rationalization, and supportive RBI policies, which have improved transparency, governance, and investor confidence,” added Prashant Sharma, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra. “These changes have led to record property sales and a steady rise in institutional investment.”
Vikas Jain, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra NextGen, said, “India’s real estate sector has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Investor confidence, both domestic and international, is at an all-time high. The platforms like ‘EXCELERATE 2026’ play a critical role in bringing together global and domestic stakeholders to exchange ideas, explore capital partnerships, and accelerate the next phase of growth for Indian real estate. The avenues like investments from the family offices and private equity have found new dimensions and asset classes in the sector in the form of branded residences, REITs, and INVITs.”
The Panel discussion on ‘Family Offices – The Emerging Capital Pool for Indian Real Estate’ observed that the family offices were increasingly pivoting toward branded residences and hospitality assets as ‘core holdings’ to ensure long-term wealth preservation and generational legacy. Despite complex legal structuring and regulatory hurdles like RERA, the strategic alignment of premium lifestyle services with tangible real estate assets offered superior capital appreciation and a prestigious, liquid investment.
In the session “REITs and Invits Unlocking Institutional & Retail Capital”, the panelists focused on how India’s Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) market was witnessing robust growth, emerging as a compelling investment alternative not only domestically, but also against its Asian peers.
The Panel on ‘Sustainability in Real Estate – Finance, Incentives & ROI’, emphasized on the financial implications of green development and the necessity of measurable returns on sustainable investments and also explored the growth of data centres, mixed-use developments, and organized rental housing.
The event also featured a special session, “Legacy Builders of Indian Real Estate,” celebrating first-generation entrepreneurs who laid the foundation for the industry. This session was preceded by addresses from Ashok Mohanani (Advisory Committee), Sandeep Runwal (Vice Chairman, NAREDCO Maharashtra) and Rajan Bandelkar (Former Vice Chairman, NAREDCO India).
The event included special addresses by Rajan Bandelkar, Former Vice Chairman, NAREDCO India, Kamlesh Thakur, Vice President, NAREDCO Maharashtra, and other dignitaries.
EXCELERATE 2026 concluded that with rising household incomes and deeper global integration, India is well-positioned for a decade of sustained expansion. The shift toward transparency, bolstered by RERA and GST, has ensured that foreign capital now accounts for more than half of institutional investments in the sector. Fiinews.com
