India's Real Estate Investment Surge: Core Assets Lead the Way

India's real estate sector showcased remarkable resilience in 2026, with investments surging despite global uncertainties. Transaction volumes reached USD 1.7 billion in Q1, driven by a 178% rise in core asset investments. This trend reflects a shift towards stable properties, bolstering investor confidence and the sector's strength.

The Indian real estate investment market witnessed a significant upswing in the first quarter of 2026, as reported by JLL, a renowned global professional services firm. The transaction volumes soared by 37 percent year-on-year, reaching USD 1.7 billion, despite prolonged decision-making periods caused by global macroeconomic uncertainties. This reflects India's strong real estate sector resilience and its allure for institutional investors.

The report emphasized a noticeable shift in investor focus towards core assets, marking a 178 percent increase in such investments to USD 1.03 billion. This indicates a rising demand for stable, income-generating properties. The second quarter has continued this trend, with core asset transactions already hitting USD 1.48 billion, further affirming sustained confidence among investors.

Lata Pillai, Senior Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets at JLL India, highlighted the sector's resilience amid global challenges. With record-breaking institutional inflows in 2024 and 2025 totaling USD 19.4 billion, India's real estate investment sector marked its strongest performance period historically. The growing role of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), now controlling a large portion of domestic capital, alongside robust economic fundamentals, is expected to fortify the sector against future global volatility and support continuous growth.