India’s real estate sector is undergoing a structural transformation marked by formalisation, premiumisation, and consolidation—driving a surging demand for capital and prompting a shift beyond traditional funding sources. 

In its fourth evolutionary phase, the sector has seen a rising share of luxury residential units and Grade A offices, an uptick in co-working spaces due to hybrid work models, and dominance by listed national players. Formalisation, initiated by RERA and IBC, has intensified, fuelling the appetite for funding. While promoters are increasingly using QIPs to raise equity, banks—with over Rs 35 trillion in exposure—remain the primary source of debt. However, regulatory limitations and risk aversion have curtailed their participation in early-stage development, particularly in land acquisition and stressed assets. 

During the 2010s, NBFCs filled this gap by funding early-stage commercial real estate. But following defaults, poor liability management, and regulatory tightening, they have ceded space to Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). With the exit of some NBFCs and tighter RBI norms, AIFs have become the dominant players in high-risk, high-reward segments. Real estate now leads sectoral AIF investments, almost twice that of the next sector, indicating strong investor confidence and a maturing fundraising ecosystem. 

Commercial real estate, especially office space, offers robust growth opportunities. In CY24, office leasing surpassed previous records by 20 per cent, accompanied by rising rents and lower vacancies. CY25 continues this trend, led by demand from Bangalore, Delhi NCR, and Pune. Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are expanding their India footprint beyond back-office roles, with their numbers expected to grow 1.3x in the next few years. Flex space operators are thriving, evidenced by successful IPOs. A vibrant start-up and MSME environment further bolsters this outlook. REITs are positioning themselves to capitalise on these opportunities. 

India’s REIT ecosystem, built around office assets, has grown at a 30 per cent CAGR over five years, supported by new launches and ROFO-based acquisitions. Despite pandemic disruptions, REITs have delivered stable, tax-efficient distributions. With nearly 500 million sq ft of untapped Grade A office space, there’s an estimated REITable value of Rs 7 trillion. To emulate mature markets like the US—where 98 per cent of listed real estate is REIT-based—India must expand into segments like retail, hotels, and warehousing. 

Regulatory reforms are paving the way for broader investor participation. Sponsor stake dilution is enabling capital recycling, with average holdings falling from nearly 50 per cent to below one-third by June 2025. Institutional ownership (DIIs and FIIs) has increased from 28 per cent to 46 per cent, led by domestic institutions, thanks to supportive regulatory changes. However, retail participation remains limited. A broader asset base and consistent supply of investment-grade properties could drive REIT AUM growth at a 25–30 per cent CAGR in the coming years.