India office market to hit 1 billion sq ft by 2025

Ifra Dilshad Khan | August 5, 2025

India is poised to cross 1 billion sq ft in total office stock by Q3 2025, making it the world’s fourth-largest office market. This growth, driven by tech demand, institutional investments, and reforms like RERA and REITs, marks a transformation from back-office operations to a hub for modern, global-grade workspaces. Grade A spaces now account for over half the supply, with Bengaluru, NCR, and Mumbai leading the charge. Sustaining this momentum will require further capital and policy support to manage future demand and rising costs.

India is set to cross the milestone of 1 billion sq ft in total office stock by Q3 2025, establishing itself as the world’s fourth-largest office market. This marks the culmination of two decades of rapid growth, powered by strong demand, institutional investment, and the country’s evolving economic stature.

According to Knight Frank India, office stock stood at 993 million sq ft in the first half of 2025—up from less than 200 million sq ft in 2005, reflecting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. Bengaluru leads the way with 229 million sq ft, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) at 199 million sq ft and Mumbai at 169 million sq ft. Together, these three cities contribute nearly 60% of the total stock. Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai account for another 33%, while Kolkata and Ahmedabad make up the remaining 7%.

Grade A space dominates the market, comprising 53% of the total supply. Grade B and C offices account for 43% and 4%, respectively. Knight Frank values India’s current office stock at US$ 187 billion (around ₹16 lakh crore), highlighting the sector’s economic significance.

“As we prepare to cross the 1 billion sq ft threshold, it’s not just a number, it reflects the growing institutionalisation, maturity, and global relevance of India’s office market… It also reinforces India’s positioning as a global economic powerhouse, offering a compelling value proposition for multinational businesses and institutional capital,” said Shishir Baijal, CMD of Knight Frank India.

Looking ahead, India is poised to add another 1 billion sq ft between 2036 and 2041, depending on the pace of growth. If the office stock grows at a CAGR of 12.7%, this milestone could be achieved by 2036. A slower pace of 10.9% CAGR would shift the timeline to 2041.

“India’s office market is at a defining moment. Poised to cross the 1 billion sq ft threshold in 2025 with 0.99 billion sq ft already achieved, India has become the world’s fourth-largest office market. This milestone speaks to the sheer scale of our commercial real estate, but more importantly, it underscores the sector’s resilience, institutional strength, and unwavering growth trajectory,” said Gulam Zia, Senior Executive Director, Knight Frank.

India’s office sector has seen a fundamental shift since the 1990s. It has evolved from a global tech industry’s back-office base into a hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and institutional-grade assets. Reforms such as SEZ regulations, the introduction of RERA, REIT frameworks, and infrastructure upgrades have helped boost transparency and ensure consistent growth.

However, sustaining this pace will require further policy support and capital inflows to prevent issues like supply shortages, rising rents, and occupier relocations, the report noted.

One of India’s greatest strengths remains its cost-efficiency. In 2025, average office rents are just US$ 0.96 per sq ft per month. This sub-dollar pricing, combined with the growing share of modern Grade A spaces, enhances India’s global competitiveness.

“India’s ability to offer modern, tech-enabled, green-certified workspaces at sub-dollar rates presents a compelling proposition for global enterprises looking to optimise costs while enhancing workplace experience. This cost-quality dynamic will continue to fuel sustained occupier interest and reinforce India’s central role in global corporate real estate portfolios,” said Viral Desai, Senior Executive Director, Knight Frank India.

Cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai lead in Grade A supply due to high IT and GCC demand. In contrast, Mumbai and NCR show a more balanced mix across office grades, while Kolkata has the highest proportion of Grade C space at 11%, indicating a need for significant asset upgrades.

As India moves toward becoming a US$ 10 trillion economy by 2030, demand for efficient, sustainable, and modern office spaces will only grow. The current phase of institutionalisation is paving the way for the sector to scale new heights.

India office market to hit 1 billion sq ft by 2025

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India office market to hit 1 billion sq ft by 2025

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