Ahead of the Budget 2026, the real estate sector has called for policy continuity, affordability-focused reforms, and easier access to finance to sustain growth amid stabilising demand and interest rates. 

Industry leaders say the upcoming budget will be crucial in addressing cost pressures, boosting homebuyer confidence, and supporting emerging segments such as managed offices and logistics real estate. 

Navin Makhija, Managing Director of The Wadhwa Group, said the sector is moving into a more stable phase but will need strong policy support to maintain momentum. 

“As we approach the Union Budget 2026, the sector is entering a phase of Measured Moderation, where stability and sustained demand will depend on supportive policies and easier access to finance. Real estate remains a critical economic multiplier, driving employment, enabling allied industries, and supporting India’s urbanisation story,” he said. 

Makhija highlighted the need to enhance homebuyer-linked tax benefits and revise the definition of affordable housing, arguing that existing price caps no longer reflect current land and construction costs in major cities. “GST rationalisation on construction inputs and works contracts will also be vital to ease cost pressures and support timely project delivery,” he added. 

An opportunity to recognise new-age real estate segments 

Beyond housing, experts say Budget 2026 is also an opportunity to recognise new-age real estate segments that support India’s growing corporate and global business footprint. 

Kunal Mehra, Co-CEO and President of Table Space, said managed workspaces should be formally recognised as essential enterprise infrastructure, especially as global capability centres and large corporates expand their presence in India. 

“Union Budget 2026 is a pivotal moment to formally recognise managed workspaces as core enterprise infrastructure underpinning India’s GCC and large-corporate growth,” Mehra said. 

He pointed out high GST remains a key hurdle for enterprise occupiers and called for a clear distinction between managed offices and hospitality services. 

“Rationalising GST on managed offices from the current 18% slab - by clearly differentiating them from hospitality - would materially reduce friction for enterprise occupiers and accelerate adoption at scale,” he said, adding that incentives for green-certified, technology-led workspaces and simpler GST compliance could further strengthen India’s position as a global enterprise hub. 

On the residential side, affordability and first-time buyer demand continue to be top concerns as home prices rise across urban markets. 

Sarthak Seth, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd., said the budget should revisit affordability thresholds to reflect present-day realities. “To keep the real estate sector growing, Budget 2026 should redefine affordability by raising the cap to ₹80–90 lakh to match current market realities,” Seth said. 

He added that higher home loan deductions and lower GST, along with continued infrastructure investment, could help bridge the gap between buyer aspirations and housing supply. With urbanisation picking up pace and interest rates showing signs of stability, he said the upcoming budget is a key opportunity to expand access to homeownership.

Industrial segment seeks policy support 

Meanwhile, the industrial and logistics real estate segment is also seeking policy support to keep pace with rapid growth in manufacturing, e-commerce and supply chains. 

Anshul Singhal, Managing Director of Welspun One, said the past financial year saw steady progress driven by public capital expenditure and initiatives such as PM Gati Shakti and industrial corridor development. 

“These measures have strengthened connectivity, supported manufacturing expansion, and reinforced the role of institutional-grade logistics and industrial assets as critical enablers of efficient supply chains and trade competitiveness,” Singhal said. 

Looking ahead, he said Budget 2026 should focus on enabling well-planned urban and near-urban logistics infrastructure to support faster deliveries while easing congestion in cities. He also called for clearer zoning norms, faster approvals and predictable regulations to optimise land use and speed up project execution.