ET Now Best Realty Brands 2026: Recognizing the Innovators and Transformers in India's Real Estate Sector

India's real estate sector is currently undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the growth of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the adoption of digital tools, and changing buyer preferences. This shift is reshaping the market, making it more integrated, technology-led, and consumer-focused. In this evolving environment, ET Now Best Realty Brands 2026 is returning for its seventh edition to recognize the key players contributing to this transformation.

The event, scheduled to take place in March 2026 in Mumbai, is now open for nominations. The platform aims to honor developers, PropTech firms, and other ecosystem participants who are contributing to the sector's growth with a focus on quality, innovation, and customer experience.

The theme for this edition, 'New Cities. New Buyers. New Real Estate,' reflects the shift in how the industry operates today. Real estate is no longer limited to developers and buyers. It now includes a wider network of participants such as construction technology providers, green building solution companies, facilities management firms, and digital platforms, all working together to deliver end-to-end solutions.

Nominations have been invited across multiple categories, including residential and commercial developers, township developers, contract builders, interior design firms, building material companies, PropTech players, and smart infrastructure providers. The platform aims to recognize contributions that influence how real estate is built, marketed, and experienced in India.

The selection process is structured and research-driven. A knowledge partner defines evaluation parameters covering innovation, sustainability, construction quality, customer experience, market presence, and overall brand reputation. Only those meeting these criteria across multiple areas are shortlisted for recognition.

As part of the initiative, selected brands will be featured in the Best Realty Brands 2026 Coffee Table Book, which documents industry success stories and highlights projects and leadership approaches that have contributed to sectoral growth.

The event will also include discussions on key trends shaping real estate. Policy reforms, faster approval processes, and improved governance standards are gradually increasing transparency and credibility across the market. At the same time, sustainability and ESG-related practices are becoming important considerations for developers and investors.

The growth of non-metro cities is another major focus area. Demand in these markets is increasingly driven by local factors such as employment generation, infrastructure upgrades, and lifestyle improvements. Buyers in these regions rely more on trust, developer reputation, and community experience rather than traditional advertising.

Technology continues to play a major role in transforming the home-buying journey. Property searches now often begin online, supported by virtual tours, data-driven recommendations, and digital transactions. This shift has reduced dependence on intermediaries while making the process faster and more transparent. However, human interaction and trust still remain important in final decision-making.

Eligibility for nominations includes a minimum of three years of operations, consistent growth, and proven delivery standards. Companies are also assessed on factors such as brand recall, workplace practices, ethical standards, CSR initiatives, and expansion strategy. The aim is to identify organizations that set industry benchmarks.

The nomination process requires participants to submit detailed information about their projects, innovation practices, sustainability initiatives, and market performance. Based on research evaluation and scoring, a final list of selected brands will be prepared and invited for recognition at the event.

Recognized companies will also gain industry visibility and networking opportunities with developers, investors, policymakers, and technology providers. Their work will be showcased across media platforms associated with the event.

With nominations currently open and the evaluation process set to begin soon, industry participants are expected to submit their entries within the given timeline to be considered for inclusion.