The Centre on Wednesday re-imposed GRAP IV restrictions in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) after air quality deteriorated.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) sub committee decided to invoke all actions under Stage-III ('Severe Air Quality of Delhi) & also Stage-IV ('Severe+' Air Quality of Delhi) of extant Schedule of GRAP, with immediate effect in addition to the Stage-I and II actions already in force, the statement read.

Driven by shifting buyer preferences post the pandemic and a surge in interest from NRIs, the demand for luxury housing is soaring like never before. However, which of India’s top cities – including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Hyderabad – has witnessed the most significant growth in premium homes?

New Delhi, a city long defined by sprawling independent floors and bungalows, is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The capital’s skyline is being reshaped by luxury high-rise condominiums, reflecting a paradigm shift in urban living and real estate trends. This vertical revolution, spurred by a post-COVID surge in demand, has seen the city embrace integrated housing solutions that combine modern luxury with community living.

Foreign investors dominated institutional investments in the real estate sector in India with 54 per cent share in 2024, accounting for $3.7 billion, according to a report on Wednesday.

Despite a reduction in share, investments increased by 36 per cent in value terms, according to a Vestian Research report.

With the generation of revenue being a major task before it, the cash-strapped Mahayuti government is likely to increase ready reckoner (RR) rates by around 10% in the state. While expecting ₹55,000 crore this year from stamp duty collection, it hopes to mop up another ₹15,000 crore from increased RR rates. The move, however, could adversely impact the real estate sector, as property will become more expensive.

More options to finance a home, lower taxes and statutory payments - these are among a few measures that the senior living segment of the real estate industry is hoping for in this year's Union Budget.

In another sunrise sector in real estate, co-working spaces, operators say that more measures should be put in place to make it easier for start-ups to do business.

Janvi Sunil moved to Bengaluru six months ago to take on a new job as a marketing specialist. She's taken up a 2BHK apartment on rent in Frazer Town for ₹36,000 monthly. Finding a house in the IT Capital has not been easy. "It took me almost two months to find one within my budget and in a safe location," she said.

In a country as vast and diverse as India, affordable housing has consistently proven to be a resilient and transformative force in the housing finance sector. For years, it has quietly bridged the gap between aspiration and reality, helping millions achieve their dream of homeownership. Today, more than ever, affordable housing stands as a cornerstone of the economy—resilient, dynamic, and filled with untapped potential.

The National Capital Region (NCR) has witnessed a significant shift in the residential real estate market in 2024. Properties priced above Rs 1 crore have contributed to 80% of the total residential sales volume in the region, reflecting an ongoing trend of premiumization in the housing sector, according to the latest report by real estate consultancy firm Knight Frank India. The region also witnessed an on year sales growth of 84% in the Rs 2-5 crore segment, with 18,997 units sold in 2024.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), encompassing Greater Mumbai, experienced a 5% year-on-year growth in residential property prices in 2024, as revealed by a Knight Frank India report released earlier this week. The weighted average price stood at INR 8,277 per sq. ft., marking the highest among eight Indian cities.