Square Yards and Colliers India Praise Budget 2026 for Affordable Housing and Balanced Real Estate Growth
The Indian real estate market is on the verge of a significant transformation, with the 2026 Union Budget expected to play a pivotal role in shaping its future. Industry leaders from Square Yards and Colliers India have expressed their views on the anticipated measures, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that boosts affordability, infrastructure, and sustainable development.
1. Mr Tanuj Shori, Founder and CEO, Square Yards
The Indian housing market is clearly moving out of a luxury-led upcycle and into a more value-driven phase, with the mid-income segment poised to anchor growth as premium demand begins to stabilize. From the 2026 Union Budget, one should expect a sharper focus on improving affordability through enhanced tax relief for mid-income homebuyers, higher interest deduction limits, and sustained investment in urban infrastructure. Equally important is policy support that encourages supply in the affordable and mid-market segments, as recent launches have been disproportionately skewed towards higher ticket sizes. A budget aligned to these realities can strengthen end-user demand, improve price-to-income dynamics, and support a more balanced and sustainable phase of urban housing growth.
2. Mr Badal Yagnik, CEO & Managing Director at Colliers India
Budget 2026 is expected to prioritize growth across economic sectors and usher in equitable real estate development through policy incentives and tax rebates. The Union Budget is likely to serve as a guiding tool balancing fiscal discipline alongside growth – keeping India globally competitive in key sectors, including real estate. Standardization and revision of affordable housing criteria to reflect the price reality of Tier I cities can provide a demand-side boost to residential real estate. Also, a supply-side push through infrastructure augmentation and capacity building can trigger long-term growth levers across real estate segments. Furthermore, real estate democratization and retail investor participation can be encouraged by making REITs and SM-REITs more attractive. While Indian real estate is at the cusp of an accelerated growth trajectory across asset classes, the upcoming budget should incentivize sustainability adoption in built structures and holistically revitalize urban development plans. Most importantly, the budget needs to lay the foundation for sustained long-term growth, cushioning the impact of global volatility and trade frictions to an extent.
Square Yards is a leading real estate services platform in India, known for its innovative solutions and commitment to transparency. The company aims to democratize the real estate market by providing accessible and reliable services to homebuyers and investors. Colliers India, on the other hand, is a renowned real estate advisory firm, offering a wide range of services including property management, investment, and strategic consulting. Both organizations are optimistic about the potential of the 2026 Union Budget to drive meaningful change in the Indian real estate sector.
In summary, the 2026 Union Budget is anticipated to focus on enhancing affordability, infrastructure, and sustainable development in the real estate sector. By addressing the needs of mid-income homebuyers and encouraging supply in the affordable and mid-market segments, the budget can pave the way for a balanced and sustainable growth trajectory. Industry leaders from Square Yards and Colliers India are hopeful that these measures will position India as a global leader in real estate development.
