India's Office Market Poised for Growth Despite Global Uncertainties: DLF Official
A senior DLF official highlights India's competitive advantages in office space and retail real estate, citing affordable costs and a robust digital infrastructure.
Real EstateOffice MarketDlfIndiaCompetitive AdvantageReal Estate NewsOct 31, 2025
Addressing a CII conference on real estate, Khattar emphasized that the demand outlook for both office spaces and retail real estate remains bullish. He stated, “In offices, India has a very, very strong competitive advantage, both in terms of English-speaking young Indians who are available to global companies at a fraction of the cost, and at the same time, global quality commercial workspace solutions, which are also available at a fraction of the cost.”
This combination makes India an attractive destination for international companies looking to establish their base. Khattar, who is also Co-Chair at CII National Committee on Real Estate & Housing, further noted, “Given a very strong digital backbone and the cost of that backbone, I think this is a wave...irrespective of the changing multi-polar geo-economic, political situation across the globe.”
Real estate consultant Knight Frank India reports that the Indian office space stock has surpassed one billion square feet, placing the country as the fourth largest globally. The office demand has seen a strong revival post-COVID-19, with gross leasing across the top 7-8 cities hitting a record in the last calendar year.
On the retail front, Khattar highlighted that organized retail is growing faster than the overall retail sector, which in turn is growing faster than the economy. He credited the introduction of RERA (Real Estate Regulation Act) for creating a transparent legislative framework that supports the growth of institutional players.
Khattar also mentioned that the rationalization of GST and the REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) framework have been positive developments for the sector. “These policy reforms have provided a solid foundation for sustainable growth in the real estate industry,” he added.
Looking ahead, Khattar noted that CII will focus on addressing key issues such as input credit for leased properties, GST exemption for rental housing, and the creation of a centralized digital portal for building plan sanctions to streamline processes and avoid delays.
Overall, the outlook for India's office and retail real estate markets remains optimistic, driven by a combination of competitive advantages, supportive policy reforms, and a robust digital infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key competitive advantages of India's office market?
India's office market is competitive due to the availability of English-speaking human resources at a fraction of the cost and high-quality commercial workspaces at affordable prices.
How has the office space demand in India changed post-COVID-19?
The office space demand in India has seen a strong revival post-COVID-19, with gross leasing across the top cities hitting a record in the last calendar year.
What role does the RERA play in the real estate sector?
The RERA (Real Estate Regulation Act) creates a transparent legislative framework that supports the growth of institutional players in the real estate industry.
What are some of the policy reforms that have positively impacted the real estate sector?
The rationalization of GST and the REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) framework have been positive developments for the sector's growth.
What issues will CII focus on to further improve the real estate sector?
CII will focus on addressing issues such as input credit for leased properties, GST exemption for rental housing, and the creation of a centralized digital portal for building plan sanctions.
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