A report released on October 15 by global real estate services provider Cushman & Wakefield stated that institutional investment in Indian real estate reached $2.1 billion in the third quarter of 2026, a 12% increase quarter-on-quarter and a 20% increase year-on-year. Data centers emerged as the most favored asset class, attracting approximately 52% of investment funds, equivalent to about $1.1 billion, significantly exceeding office buildings (15%) and hotels (9%). Overseas investors contributed 68% of the investment, regaining dominance after lagging behind domestic institutions for four consecutive quarters. By investment stage, projects under development accounted for 58%, while acquisitions of mature assets accounted for 40%; approximately 76% of investments involved cross-city projects. In the first nine months of this year, cumulative institutional investment in Indian real estate reached $5.5 billion, an 11% year-on-year increase. The report noted that continued active investment in data centers, along with acquisitions of commercial office assets and the expansion of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), also supported the market.
