INDIA OFFICE MARKET
Office market stabilising; vacancies to decline marginally, rents to rise: Nuvama
Office space vacancy in India is set to decrease slightly. Rental growth will improve as demand and supply trends balance. New office space additions are planned until 2028. Leasing activity has shown a strong recovery. Global Capability Centres are a key driver of demand.
Gujarati travellers cut back on travel plans amid geopolitical uncertainty, expected market volatility
Gujarati travelers are pausing travel plans. Uncertainty from the US-Israel-Iran conflict and stock market dips are causing caution. Advance bookings for summer trips are down significantly. Many are considering alternative destinations. This trend is impacting hotels and event planners. Experts believe this is a temporary phase for this buoyant travel community.
AI majors building India base in Bengaluru boosting space demand
Bengaluru is rapidly becoming a global hub for AI innovation as major tech companies like Anthropic and OpenAI establish new offices. European firm Mistral AI is also in talks to open a capability center, drawn by the deep engineering talent.
GIFT City vs Dubai vs Singapore: What you need to know while choosing your investment hub
Indian wealth is increasingly seeking global anchors, with GIFT City, Dubai's DIFC, and Singapore emerging as key contenders. Each hub offers distinct advantages in access, tax efficiency, and regulatory comfort, catering to different investor profiles from first-generation entrepreneurs to established family offices.
IPOs could raise up to $25 billion in 2026, too, despite D-St caution
India's primary market anticipates a strong showing in 2026 with several large IPOs. Companies like Jio Platforms, National Stock Exchange, Zepto, PhonePe, Manipal Hospitals, and SBI Funds Management are set to launch. These issuances could collectively raise around ₹1 lakh crore. While deal numbers may decrease, the overall value is expected to remain robust.
Protest erupts in Nepal against taxation on imports above 100 rupees from India
Protests have erupted in Birgunj, Nepal, against a new government directive taxing all imports from India exceeding NRS 100. This strict enforcement, aimed at curbing revenue leakage and supporting local markets, has led to widespread crackdowns at border points and significant dissatisfaction among residents who rely on cross-border purchases for daily essentials.
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IFC, domestic funds back Brookfield India REIT’s Rs 2,600-cr QIP
Brookfield India Real Estate Trust is raising Rs 2,600 crore through a Qualified Institutional Placement. Major investors include IFC, Whiteoak Capital, HDFC Life Insurance, Axis Max Life Insurance, and PPFAS Mutual Fund. The funds will support acquisitions and debt repayment. This fundraising follows significant capital raised since 2023. The REIT has expanded its operational assets considerably.

Regulations slow growth but reward patient founders: Razorpay’s Harshil Mathur at YC Startup School
Razorpay CEO Harshil Mathur highlighted the advantages of operating in regulated spaces, noting the company's explosive growth in India's payments market, now exceeding $180 billion in volume. He shared early challenges, including a bank pulling support, but emphasized how adaptability, like embracing UPI, fueled their success, especially during the pandemic's D2C boom.

OpenAI B2B applications CTO Srinivas Narayanan announces exit after three years
Srinivas Narayanan, chief technology officer of business-to-business (B2B) applications at American AI company OpenAI, announced on Saturday that he will be leaving the company at the end of next week, marking the close of a three-year stint during a period of high-profile product launches.

Bhooth Bangla box-office day 1: Akshay Kumar's horror comedy starts strong, becomes superstar's top five biggest day one-grossers
Akshay Kumar's horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla has made a strong debut, earning an estimated Rs 23.90 crore globally on its opening day. The film's robust performance, with Rs 15.75 crore net domestically, has ended the month-long box office reign of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. Bhooth Bangla now ranks among Akshay Kumar's top five post-pandemic openers.

ECI rolls out ‘Democracy Express’ in Darjeeling to drive voter awareness
The Election Commission of India organised a voter awareness campaign in North Bengal. The iconic Darjeeling toy train was used to encourage participation in elections. A 'Democracy Express' also traveled through Darjeeling, spreading messages of peaceful and fair elections. Cultural programs and a walkathon were part of the outreach. First-time voters were honored.

Smartworks bets on structural shift as managed offices become mainstream
India's managed office sector is entering a period of strong growth. Smartworks, a leading platform, is expanding rapidly with large campus formats. Enterprises are increasingly adopting managed workspaces as a long-term strategy. This trend is fueled by a demand-supply mismatch in Grade A office spaces. Smartworks' annuity-led contracts ensure predictable revenue and financial resilience, positioning it for sustained success.

BigBasket appoints ex-Google exec Arpit Jaiswal as chief growth officer
BigBasket has appointed Arpit Jaiswal, a former executive of Google India, as its new chief growth officer. Jaiswal brings 15 years of experience from Google, where he led growth and monetisation for Google Pay. Additionally, Keshav Kumar has been elevated to the role of chief product & technology officer.

Alt Capital launches AYF III, ties up with FundsIndia Private Wealth to raise Rs 1,000 crore
Alt Capital has launched AltCap Yield Fund III to tap opportunities in commercial real estate, targeting Rs 1,000 crore with a green shoe option. The fund will focus on pre-leased Grade A assets, aiming for stable income and 16–18% IRR, backed by strong demand and the firm’s proven investment track record.

Air India partners with WestJet to expand North America connectivity
Air India and WestJet have launched an interline partnership, enabling passengers to book single-ticket journeys connecting flights between India and North America. This collaboration offers seamless travel to over 30 destinations across Canada and the United States, enhancing convenience with coordinated baggage handling and simplified transfers.

Mumbai’s skyline is soaring. So is the pressure on housing
Mumbai's booming real estate market sees global financial giants occupying luxury towers while low-income residents like taxi driver Ramu Virmale negotiate for modern housing. Developers are redeveloping slums, promising new apartments but raising concerns about displacement and the loss of community. This transformation is reshaping the city's skyline and its social fabric.

Building malls now needs deeper pockets as construction costs rose 13.9%
Construction costs are rising across India. Malls have seen the biggest jump in expenses. Luxury and mid-market housing also experienced significant cost increases. Affordable housing and commercial office spaces saw moderate rises. Warehousing and manufacturing costs grew the least. Developers are focusing on efficiency and planning. India's construction market is set for substantial growth.

In search of predictable returns, pvt equity funds step up office asset play in Q1
Institutional investors focused on office properties in India during the first quarter of 2026. Private equity inflows increased significantly, with office assets attracting the majority of the capital. Investors preferred leased and near-stabilized properties for predictable cash flows. Residential investments also saw activity, primarily through debt structures.

Suzlon Energy: Knowing which way the wind blows, a recharge
Suzlon Energy has shown remarkable resilience, turning its operations around. The company is now a key player in India's wind energy sector. It is expanding into solar, battery storage, and new technologies. Suzlon is also upgrading its manufacturing with AI-enabled factories. This transformation positions Suzlon as a comprehensive renewable energy solutions provider for the future.

Office assets anchor institutional confidence as PE investments rise in March quarter
Office properties led institutional investment in India's real estate during the first quarter of 2026. Private equity inflows saw a significant increase, with office assets attracting the majority of capital. Investors favored stabilized, income-generating properties. Residential investments remained debt-led. The National Capital Region and Pune attracted most of the investment. Domestic capital played a dominant role.

India's top 8 cities see 24% dip in net office leasing in Jan-Mar: C&W
Office space leasing saw a 24 percent drop in early 2026 across India's major cities. This slowdown occurred due to reduced demand and challenges in new office space availability. Despite this, overall leasing activity increased. Global companies remain a key driver of demand. Experts anticipate a stable market with ongoing demand outpacing new supply.

Who was Mark Mobius and why was the $40 billion India bull famous as ‘Indiana Jones of emerging markets’
Mark Mobius, a renowned investor, passed away at 89. He was a global champion for emerging markets, especially India. Mobius saw opportunity where others saw risk. He traveled extensively, visiting factories and meeting business leaders. His conviction helped attract billions to markets previously considered too volatile. Mobius believed in understanding markets through their people.

ETMarkets AIF Talk| Performing credit emerges as core portfolio allocation for investors: Amit Dharod
India’s private credit market is emerging as a key part of alternative investments, supported by structural changes in lending and rising demand for stable returns. Once a niche, performing credit is becoming a core allocation, driven by a funding gap in mid-market firms and the flexibility of AIFs to provide customised financing.

ETMarkets Smart Talk | AI boom driving Indian family offices to global markets; US offers richer playbook: Amit Goel
Indian family offices are increasingly looking beyond domestic markets as the global AI boom reshapes investment strategies. Limited pure-play AI opportunities in India are pushing ultra-HNIs to allocate more capital to global markets, especially the US, where AI, cloud, and digital infrastructure offer broader opportunities, aided by easier overseas investing routes like GIFT City.

India’s office vacancy drops to 13.85% in Q4FY26, lowest since pandemic amid strong leasing demand
Office vacancy in India's top cities has reached its lowest point since the pandemic. This is due to companies returning to offices and Global Capability Centres continuing to lease space. Vacancy levels have declined significantly, reflecting strong demand for quality office spaces. Rental growth is also accelerating across major markets.

Mindspace REIT acquires 51% stake in 2.6-million-sq-ft Chennai IT park for Rs 1,500 cr
Mindspace Business Parks REIT has acquired a significant stake in a Chennai IT park. The deal values the property at Rs 3,000 crore. This acquisition, along with another recent purchase, strengthens the REIT's presence in Chennai. It positions Mindspace REIT as a major owner of commercial office assets in the city.

RMZ to invest USD 35bn to build digital infra, housing, commercial projects, exploring IPO
Realty firm RMZ on Monday said it plans to invest USD 35 billion over the next five years to develop data centres, AI factories, commercial assets and housing projects and is also considering launching an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Prudential Plc names Amit Dave as CEO, Abhishek Saraf as COO
Prudential Plc has appointed Amit Dave as CEO and Abhishek Saraf as COO for its upcoming health insurance joint venture with HCL Group in India. These appointments, pending regulatory approval, signal the venture's progress towards launching its standalone health insurance operations. The venture, a 70:30 partnership, is nearing final clearance after navigating regulatory hurdles.

Ambedkar Jayanti 2026 a holiday? Check whether schools, banks, and government offices are closed or open on April 14
Is Ambedkar Jayanti 2026 a national holiday? The answer is yes, as the Government of India recognises Ambedkar Jayanti, celebrated on April 14, as a public holiday. Tomorrow, most schools, banks, post offices, and government offices will remain closed on account of Ambedkar Jayanti. Digital banking will remain operational on April 14.
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