India's real estate sector has achieved an important milestone by entering the world's top 30 most transparent property markets for the first time. According to the 2026 Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI) released by JLL, India has improved its global ranking from 31st in 2024 to 26th in 2026.

This progress reflects significant improvements in regulatory frameworks, property transaction processes, digitisation of land records, Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) implementation, and the expansion of institutional investment.

The improvement is an encouraging development for domestic homebuyers, NRIs, real estate developers, and international investors. Greater transparency can strengthen market confidence, improve access to investment opportunities, and support the long-term growth of India's property sector.

India Achieves a Significant Global Ranking

India's rise to 26th position in JLL's 2026 Global Real Estate Transparency Index represents a five-place improvement compared with the previous edition.

The country has emerged as the most improved real estate market in the Asia-Pacific region and one of the five biggest improvers globally.

The index evaluates 88 countries and 146 city markets using approximately 260 indicators covering regulatory standards, market information, transaction processes, investment performance, listed real estate markets, and sustainability.

This achievement indicates that India's real estate ecosystem is becoming more structured, accountable, and aligned with international investment standards.

Regulatory Reforms Strengthening Investor Confidence

One of the biggest contributors to India's improved ranking is the strengthening of its regulatory and legal framework.

Important developments include:

• Implementation and maturation of the RERA framework.
• Greater transparency in real estate project information.
• Liberalisation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations.
• Digitisation of land records.
• Improvements in property registration and transaction processes.
• Greater disclosure requirements for listed real estate companies.

These developments are helping create a more organised property market and improving the availability of information for buyers and investors.

Digital Land Records Improving Property Transparency

Digitisation is playing an important role in improving India's real estate transparency.

Government initiatives such as the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM), and NAKSHA are supporting the modernisation of land administration and property records.

These initiatives aim to improve access to land information, strengthen property identification, and reduce discrepancies in traditional land-record systems.

For property buyers, improved digital records can make it easier to investigate ownership details, survey information, and relevant property documentation.

However, digital records should always be supported by independent legal title verification before completing a property transaction.

RERA Strengthening Accountability in Real Estate

The implementation of RERA has significantly changed the way real estate projects are regulated and monitored.

The framework requires applicable projects to comply with registration, disclosure, financial, and project-related obligations.

Important benefits include:

• Greater visibility into project details.
• Disclosure of approved plans and project timelines.
• Better accountability among developers.
• Improved protection of homebuyer interests.
• Access to regulatory grievance mechanisms.

As RERA implementation continues to mature across states, it is contributing to a more organised and transparent residential property market.

Growth of REITs Expanding Investment Opportunities

The expansion of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) is another important factor contributing to India's improving transparency.

REITs allow investors to participate in income-generating commercial real estate assets through listed investment structures without directly purchasing entire properties.

According to JLL, India's office REIT stock increased by 58% between 2024 and 2026, reaching approximately 164 million square feet.

This growth reflects increasing institutional participation and the development of more structured investment opportunities in India's commercial real estate market.

REITs are also helping improve reporting standards, asset disclosures, and investor access to commercial property investments.

Rising Institutional Investment in Indian Real Estate

Improved transparency is coinciding with stronger institutional investment activity.

Private equity investment in Indian real estate reached approximately US$10.5 billion in 2025, representing a 17% year-on-year increase.

Investment during the first half of 2026 reached approximately US$4.3 billion, up 25% compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.

Growing investor participation reflects confidence in India's long-term real estate potential, supported by economic growth, urbanisation, infrastructure development, and improving regulatory standards.

Sustainability Becoming an Important Investment Factor

Environmental performance and sustainable development are increasingly influencing real estate investment decisions.

India improved its sustainability ranking from 29th to 27th globally in the 2026 index.

The growth of green-certified commercial buildings, energy-efficiency standards, and sustainability disclosures is contributing to this progress.

Green-certified Grade A office stock increased from approximately 39% in 2020 to 66% by the first half of 2026.

This indicates growing demand for energy-efficient buildings and environmentally responsible development.

For investors and commercial occupiers, sustainability is becoming an important consideration when evaluating property quality, operating costs, and long-term asset performance.

What Does This Development Mean for Indian Property Investors?

India's improved global transparency ranking offers several positive signals for property investors.

For Homebuyers: Better regulatory disclosures and digital property information can support more informed purchasing decisions.

For NRIs: Improving transparency and institutional participation may strengthen confidence among overseas Indians considering investments in Indian real estate.

For Developers: Higher expectations around compliance, project disclosures, and sustainability can encourage more professional development practices.

For Institutional Investors: Stronger regulatory frameworks and more structured investment products can improve the investment environment.

For Commercial Property Investors: The expansion of REITs and institutional-grade assets offers additional opportunities to participate in organised real estate markets.

However, a higher transparency ranking does not eliminate property-related risks or guarantee investment returns.

What Does It Mean for Hyderabad's Real Estate Market?

Hyderabad is an important market within India's expanding real estate ecosystem, supported by IT employment, pharmaceutical industries, infrastructure development, and growing residential demand.

Improved national transparency standards could benefit Hyderabad's property market through:

• Greater importance of RERA-compliant residential projects.
• Improved access to digital land and property records.
• Better project disclosures by organised developers.
• Growing institutional interest in commercial real estate.
• Increased emphasis on legal approvals and property documentation.
• Greater awareness of sustainable building practices.

For open plot buyers, these developments reinforce the importance of verifying HMDA and DTCP approvals, land-use permissions, ownership history, survey details, and applicable registration records.

As Hyderabad expands through emerging residential corridors and infrastructure-led development, transparent documentation and regulatory compliance will remain important factors in building buyer confidence.

Challenges That India Must Address

Despite its progress, India still has opportunities to improve its position in global real estate transparency.

Important areas requiring further development include:

• Standardised property performance and valuation data.
• Greater transparency in real estate financing.
• Improved disclosure across different property categories.
• More accessible building energy-performance information.
• Better climate-risk and sustainability reporting.
• Faster resolution of property-related disputes.
• Wider adoption of digital verification systems.

According to JLL, deeper market disclosures, better credit-market information, verified building-performance data, and the use of artificial intelligence could support India's next stage of improvement.

Future Outlook for India's Real Estate Sector

India's entry into the top 30 transparent real estate markets represents an important step towards becoming a more mature and globally competitive property investment destination.

The continued development of digital infrastructure, regulatory reforms, REIT markets, institutional investment, and sustainability standards could strengthen the sector further.

As transparency improves, Indian real estate may become increasingly attractive to domestic and international investors seeking structured investment opportunities.

The next phase of growth will depend on extending these improvements beyond major metropolitan markets and ensuring consistent access to reliable property information across the country.