As Union Budget 2026 approaches, the real estate sector is united in its call for policy reforms that align with shifting ground realities. Developers and industry bodies are urging the government to redefine affordable housing to reflect rising urban costs, with a specific push to raise the price cap to Rs. 1 crore.
Beyond pricing, the wishlist prioritizes the reintroduction of interest subsidies and GST rationalization to revive buyer sentiment in the under-construction segment. Regional leaders are also highlighting how massive infrastructure projects are reshaping markets like Ahmedabad, shifting the focus toward sustainable growth driven by transparency and timely delivery.
Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Signature Global (India), said extending and reintroducing the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) could offer meaningful relief to first-time homebuyers while stimulating housing demand. He added that expanding the definition of affordable housing to include homes priced up to ₹1 crore would better reflect current market realities and strengthen the ‘Housing for All’ vision.
Sukhraj Nahar, President, CREDAI-MCHI, said the industry expects policy continuity and targeted interventions that boost buyer confidence, improve project liquidity and ease redevelopment execution across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. He also called for rationalisation of GST on under-construction homes and clarity on tax exemptions for affordable housing and real estate investments to spur end-user demand.
Lalit Parihar, Managing Director, Aaiji Group, commented that the Ahmedabad real estate market continues to display resilience and steady growth. While the market witnessed a brief dip, it is poised for significant expansion following the city’s announcement as a host for the Commonwealth Games. This momentum is further strengthened by transformative infrastructure initiatives such as the bullet train project, the expanding metro network, and Ahmedabad’s strategic proximity to GIFT City and Dholera. These factors position the city as an attractive residential destination for professionals across both the services and manufacturing sectors.
He went on to say that demand remains robust in the mid-income and premium housing segments, supported by Ahmedabad’s status as one of India’s most affordable major housing markets. Property prices have shown consistent appreciation, driven by sustained infrastructure development and a healthy balance between supply and demand.
Deepak Chhabta, Founder, 77 Pillar, stated that the real estate business in India remains assured by the high demand among the end-users in the residential and commercial industry that is enhanced by urbanization, development of infrastructures, and easy access to information. With the change in the sector, the Union Budget 2026 offers a chance to enhance the transparency, accountability, and consumer confidence further.
It would also require a clear policy framework to guarantee delivery of projects on time, safeguard the interests of the homebuyers, and ensure the accountability of the promoters in their promises in order to restore confidence in the long term. Simultaneously, drivers of responsible development, ease of compliance, and facilitation of digital environments may enhance the effectiveness of transactions. Enhanced focus on information openness and uniform disclosure will also contribute to informed buying by buyers. A middle ground in which the buyers are not harmed and the developers who are credible can scale will assist the real estate industry to play a significant role in the economic growth.
