Budget 2026: The Union Budget for the upcoming financial year will most likely be tabled in Lok Sabha on February 1, 2026, as the Budget session will commence on January 28 with the presidential address. Ahead of the Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been meeting industry experts, representatives of states, economists, and other stakeholders, seeking their suggestions and demands for the next financial year's budget (Budget 2026-27).
The government has also sought input from common citizens.
Meanwhile, industry leaders from the real estate sector have put their demands and expectations, including the introduction of policies to ease investment for real estate projects, rational tax benefits, and a single window clearance system, to further boost the already growing sector.
Ashish Bhutani, CEO of Bhutani Infra, expects that the real estate sector looks forward to policy measures that further strengthen ease of investment, accelerate infrastructure development, and support sustainable urban growth.
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"Continued focus on rationalising taxation, expanding metro and expressway connectivity, and incentivising green and wellness-driven developments can significantly enhance investor confidence. A stable, forward-looking policy environment will be key to unlocking long-term value across commercial and mixed-use real estate while supporting employment generation and economic momentum,” Bhutani said.
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Echoing the same sentiment, Ashok Singh Jaunapuria, Managing Director & CEO, SS Group, said that as the housing market matures, the government should introduce more buyer-centric policies in the upcoming budget.
"Homebuyers today are financially aware and long-term in their outlook, yet many tax benefits and eligibility thresholds have not kept pace with rising urban housing prices. Revisiting ownership-linked tax incentives and improving affordability through financing support can significantly strengthen end-user demand. Equally important is easing approval bottlenecks through faster, more transparent processes, which ultimately improve delivery timelines and buyer confidence," Singh stated.
Meanwhile, Sanchit Bhutani, Managing Director, Group 108, believes that Budget 2026 should consist of some measures to rationalise GST on commercial rentals, at the same time, should encourage modernisation of office and retail assets as commercial real estate is gradually settling into a more sustainable growth cycle, with both office and retail segments being driven by quality demand rather than volume-led expansion.
"From Budget 2026, the sector is looking for greater operational ease, including rationalisation of GST on commercial rentals, smoother compliance norms, and incentives that support the modernisation of office and retail assets. While continued focus on infrastructure creation remains critical, there is also a strong case for promoting industrial and commercial development, as this has a direct multiplier effect on employment, economic activity, ty and real estate absorption," Sanchit noted.
Preksha Singh, CEO of Agrasheel Infratech, said that the government should focus on removing structural bottlenecks that slow down housing delivery.
"A single-window clearance system is one of the most critical reforms the sector is waiting for, as faster approvals directly translate into timely project execution and better cost management. On the demand side, we expect stronger tax incentives for first-time homebuyers, as they form the base of sustainable housing demand," said Preksha, noting that there is also a clear opportunity to accelerate housing growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities by combining buyer incentives with sustained investment in infrastructure and connectivity.
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"To reduce pressure on metros, smaller cities and towns should see greater investment in quality schools, state-of-the-art sports facilities and other social infrastructure, enabling more balanced development and making Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities attractive investment destinations," she added.