India's Real Estate Sector Poised for Exponential Growth: EXCELERATE 2026

The Indian real estate landscape is undergoing a monumental structural shift, transitioning from traditional family-funded models to a globally integrated, institutionalized asset class. This was the central theme at EXCELERATE 2026, a premier international conclave organized by NAREDCO Maharashtra NextGen in Mumbai.

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).

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman Emeritus of NAREDCO Maharashtra, stated, “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. 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.

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.

Mr. Prashant Sharma, President of NAREDCO Maharashtra, said, “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. These changes have led to record property sales and a steady rise in institutional investment.”

Mr. Vikas Jain, President of 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 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 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.

On the sidelines, a report by ANAROCK titled ‘India REITS: Taking a Stride – Building Momentum with Scale & Performance’ was launched. The report observed that the real estate sector was rapidly evolving into a mature and high-performing asset class driven by strong fundamentals, regulatory support, and increasing investor confidence. The report further stated that the introduction of Small and Medium REITs (SM REITs) in 2025 further enabled real estate investment, facilitating retail participation through a fractional ownership model and expected to unlock a monetization opportunity of Rs 67,000 to Rs 71,000 crore.

The panel on ‘Sustainability in Real Estate – Finance, Incentives & ROI’ emphasized the financial implications of green development and the necessity of measurable returns on sustainable investments. It also explored the growth of data centers, 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 Mr. Rajan Bandelkar, Former Vice Chairman, NAREDCO India, Mr. 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.