The unregulated real estate sector in Jammu and Kashmir has led to a chaotic and often exploitative environment. While some developers and investors exploit lax regulations and loopholes, the broader consequences include unplanned urbanization, price manipulation, legal disputes, and a loss of public trust.

The absence of strict zoning laws has led to haphazard urban expansion, resulting in traffic congestion, inadequate drainage, and loss of open spaces.

Chandigarh, India’s first planned city, has long been admired for its modernist vision and orderly development. Designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, the city is now witnessing an unprecedented surge in real estate prices, exemplified by what’s been circulating on the grapevine about a residential plot being valued at a staggering ₹200 crore. This astronomical valuation is a clear sign of the rapid gentrification sweeping through the city. But what does this mean for its residents, urban landscape and the city’s original ethos?

The Outer Ring Road ( ORR) project in Srinagar holds momentous prospects as a corridor of prosperity and transformation for Kashmir. By enhancing connectivity across the region, it is poised to drive economic growth, boost tourism, and improve trade. The ORR will create direct routes for goods, facilitating easier transportation and reducing costs, which can stimulate local businesses. It can also promote agriculture by improving the supply chain for products like apples and saffron, benefiting farmers and traders.

Housing sales in Jaipur rose just 5 per cent to 10,695 units in 2024 but grew 39 per cent in value terms to Rs 8,388 crore, according to real estate data analytics firm PropEquity.

In 2023, housing sales in the capital city of Rajasthan stood at 10,187 units, with value of Rs 6,019 crore, PropEquity data showed.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has recently amended the rules governing the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP), enabling distressed homebuyers to take possession of their properties while the resolution process is ongoing. The key objective of these amendments, which were notified earlier this month, is to prevent unnecessary and prolonged delays in handing over possession to homebuyers.

Gurugram’s real estate market has witnessed remarkable growth, driven by key infrastructure developments. Property prices have been rising steadily each quarter, driven by developments like the Dwarka Expressway and Southern Peripheral Road. These upgrades have not only enhanced connectivity but also triggered a surge in real estate activity, attracting both homebuyers seeking modern living spaces and investors eyeing long-term appreciation. As a result, both micro-markets are playing a pivotal role in shaping Gurugram’s evolving real estate landscape.

Developers in Delhi NCR are considering reducing apartment sizes to enhance affordability and attract buyers in lower price segments, as the average flat size has surged from 1,250 sq ft in 2019 to 2,435 sq ft in 2024, with some builders exclusively launching units over 3,000 sq ft, making homeownership increasingly expensive for mid-segment buyers.

However, this year, many developers are considering launching flats with a starting size of 1,500 sq ft to ensure prices remain between ₹2-4 crore, said industry leaders.

Hyderabad is rapidly emerging as one of the country’s leading metropolitan cities, driven by strong socio-economic growth, emergence of the city as a preferred IT hotspot, and rapid infrastructural development. Furthermore, the city’s favorable business environment and thriving startup ecosystem are contributing significantly to its real estate sector’s success.

The “demeed residency” clause remains unchanged from the current law in the Income Bill 2025, and the non-resident Indians (NRIs) will continue to be taxed on the income they earn in India, tax experts said.

There is no change as such in the meaning of resident or non-resident as per Section 6 of the new Bill, they noted.

India’s real estate market is one of the economy’s most dynamic sectors, driven by multiple factors such as economic growth, interest rates, inflation, and government policies. Real estate is susceptible to macroeconomic conditions as a crucial contributor to GDP and employment generation. When the economy is booming, demand for housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure development surges. Conversely, during economic downturns, the sector often faces reduced demand, project delays, and liquidity crunches.