Quick answer: The Gujarat Real Estate Regulatory Authority (GujRERA) has tightened its review of new project registrations after finding that nearly half of the applications currently under examination come from developers who still have pending complaints or unresolved regulatory issues. Under the revised process, these developers must clear outstanding complaints, penalties, and dues before getting full approval some are getting conditional registrations with a deadline to fix things. GujRERA is also building a feature to publish developers' complaint histories on its public portal, so buyers can check out a promoter's track record before booking a flat. If you're evaluating a new launch in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, or GIFT City right now, this is worth understanding before you sign anything. Key Takeaways Nearly 50% of new project applications under GujRERA review involve developers with pending complaints or regulatory proceedings. Developers must now resolve outstanding complaints, penalties, and dues before getting final project registration. Some projects are receiving conditional registrations, with a fixed timeline to clear compliance issues. The scrutiny covers both homebuyer complaints and suo motu (selfinitiated) cases opened by GujRERA. GujRERA is preparing to publish developers' complaint histories on its public portal for buyer reference. This tightens the link between a developer's past conduct and its ability to launch new projects in Gujarat. What GujRERA Actually Announced GujRERA has intensified scrutiny of new real estate project registrations after discovering that close to half the applications it's currently examining involve developers carrying pending complaints or unresolved regulatory matters. The move is meant to strengthen consumer protection and push greater accountability into the state's real estate sector. Under the revised approach, a developer applying to register a fresh project has to clear pending complaints, unpaid penalties, and other regulatory dues before receiving final approval. Officials are now assessing a promoter's full compliance history rather than just reviewing the new application in isolation, so unresolved issues from an older project can hold up registration of a new one. In recent weeks, several projects have reportedly received conditional registrations. Developers behind these projects have been directed to resolve outstanding issues within a set timeline before they achieve full regulatory compliance. Why This Matters: Two Types of Complaints Are Now in Scope The enhanced scrutiny isn't limited to grievances that homebuyers file directly. It also covers suo motu proceedings cases GujRERA opens on its own, during routine oversight of ongoing projects, without a buyer having to complain first. That distinction matters due diligence. A developer with a clean public reputation could still be carrying a suo motu case that a casual Google search won't surface. Once GujRERA's public complainthistory feature goes live, this kind of gap should close. What's Coming: Public Complaint Histories on the GujRERA Portal As part of its transparency push, GujRERA is working on a mechanism to publish developers' complaint histories directly on its public portal. Once live, the feature is expected to let prospective buyer's view: A promoter's previous projects Pending complaints against them Their overall regulatory record This would let buyers factor a builder's compliance track record into their decision before booking, rather than finding out about problems only after money has changed hands. Old Process vs. the New Scrutiny Framework Aspect Earlier Approach Current GujRERA Approach Review scope Mostly limited to the new application itself Full compliance history of the promoter, across projects Pending complaints Could coexist with a new registration Must generally be resolved or addressed before final approval Approval type Registration granted or rejected Conditional registration possible, with a compliance deadline Complaint visibility Not centrally published for buyers Public complaint history feature in development Cases considered Buyerfiled complaints Buyerfiled complaints + suo motu proceedings How to Check a Developer's RERA Record in Gujarat Right Now You don't have to wait for the new complainthistory feature to do basic due diligence. Here's the practical checklist: Verify the RERA registration number. Every project above 500 sq. m. or with more than eight units must be registered with GujRERA before it can be advertised or booked. Confirm the number on gujrera.gujarat.gov.in, not just on the builder's brochure. Check the project status. The portal shows whether a project is Active, Lapsed, or Revoked, along with quarterly progress reports the developer is required to file. Search for the promoter's other projects. Use the developer/promoter's name filter to see what else they've registered and whether any of those projects show extensions, delays, or complaints. Ask directly about pending cases. Given GujRERA's current scrutiny push, it's reasonable to ask a developer's sales team whether any of their projects (old or new) carry pending complaints or suo motu proceedings. Confirm the escrow arrangement. RERA requires developers to keep at least 70% of collections from buyers in a dedicated project escrow account, used only for that project's construction. This is a basic financial discipline check worth asking about. Track conditional approvals. If a project has a conditional registration, ask what the outstanding condition is and its deadline this should be disclosed, not buried. What Homebuyers Should Do with This Information This kind of regulatory tightening is good news for buyers in principle, but it doesn't remove the need for your own checks. A few practical takeaways if you're actively comparing projects in Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar: A RERA number alone isn't proof of a clean record. Registration confirms the project meets baseline requirements; it doesn't confirm the promoter has no history of complaints. Crosscheck the promoter's other projects too. Conditional registrations aren't automatically a red flag, but they are a prompt to ask more questions. Many conditional approvals get resolved within the stipulated window; some don't. A developer's compliance history is now a genuine duediligence factor, alongside construction quality, location, and pricing similar to how a builder's financial strength or valuation trend is worth checking before you commit. If you already have a pending complaint against a developer, this tightened scrutiny is a reason to keep it formally on record with GujRERA rather than resolving it informally, since it appears to be one of the factors now weighed against a developer's future registrations. How to File or Track a Complaint with GujRERA If you do run into a genuine grievance delayed possession, false advertising, or a builder not honouring the agreed specifications here's the general process as it currently stands: Register/log in on the GujRERA portal under the Citizen section. File Form A with the project's RERA registration number, a brief description of your grievance, and the relief you're seeking (refund, compensation, or completion). Attach supporting documents: allotment letter, payment receipts, and any written correspondence with the builder. Pay the applicable filing fee (a nominal amount, generally in the ₹500₹1,000 range confirm the current fee on the portal, since amounts are occasionally revised). Save your acknowledgement number to track the complaint's status online. Resolution timelines vary by case complexity, but GujRERA generally aims to dispose of complaints within a few weeks to a few months depending on the forum. If you're unsatisfied with the outcome, an appeal to the RERA Appellate Tribunal is available within the prescribed window. Read more: Capital Gains Tax on Property Sale 2026 Why This Fits a Broader Governance Push This tightened scrutiny reinforces the core objective of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA): transparency, accountability, and timely project delivery. By linking a developer's past performance to its eligibility for future registrations, GujRERA is trying to build a more consumercentric market rather than treating each new launch as a clean slate. It's also consistent with what's happening elsewhere. Other state RERAs have been running parallel reforms from stricter document scrutiny to compulsory quarterly progress reports as regulators nationally lean into stronger governance around project approvals. Read more: Ahmedabad Residential Real Estate Market Q2 2026 Report What This Means If You're Buying in Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are both seeing a steady flow of new project launches, particularly along the SG Highway, West Peripheral, and GIFT City corridors. More supply is generally good for buyers, but it also means more applications for GujRERA to screen and, per this update, a meaningful share of them involves developers with unresolved issues. Practically, this is one more reason to lean on verified, RERAregistered listings and to ask direct questions about a builder's compliance history before booking, rather than relying only on the sales pitch or a project marketing brochure. Read more: CIBIL Score Required for a Home Loan Frequently Asked Questions What did GujRERA announce about developer complaints?GujRERA found that nearly half of the new project applications currently under review involve developers with pending complaints or unresolved regulatory proceedings and has tightened its scrutiny process as a result. Do developers now have to clear complaints before registering for a new project?Generally, yes. Developers are being asked to resolve pending complaints, penalties, and dues before receiving final registration. Some projects are getting conditional approval with a deadline to fix outstanding issues instead of an outright rejection. What is a suo motu proceeding under RERA?It's a case that GujRERA opens its own initiative while monitoring an ongoing project, without a homebuyer having to file a complaint first. These are now included in the scrutiny of a developer's compliance history, alongside buyerfiled complaints. Will I be able to see a developer's complaint history online?GujRERA is developing a feature to publish developers' complaint histories on its public portal. It isn't confirmed as live yet, so continue to verify a promoter's record manually via the project search tool and by asking direct questions until the feature rolls out. How do I check if a project is RERAregistered in Gujarat?Visit gujrera.gujarat.gov.in, use the project or promoter search, and confirm the RERA registration number, project status, and quarterly progress filings before booking. Does a RERA number guarantee a developer has no pending complaints?No. A valid RERA number confirms that the project meets basic registration requirements. It doesn't by itself confirm the promoter has a clean complaint history across their other projects that requires a separate check. How much does it cost to file a RERA complaint in Gujarat?The filing fee is nominal, generally cited in the ₹500₹1,000 range depending on the forum. Confirm the current fee directly on the GujRERA portal before filing, since fee schedules are occasionally revised. Is a conditional project registration a red flag?Not automatically. It means GujRERA has flagged an outstanding issue and given the developer a deadline to resolve it rather than approving the project outright. It's still worth asking the developer what the condition is and whether it's been met before you book. Final Thoughts GujRERA's decision to link a developer's compliance history with its ability to register new projects is a meaningful shift in how the regulator operates in Gujarat. For homebuyers in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and GIFT City, it adds one more layer of protection, but it doesn't replace your own due diligence. Verify RERA registration, check a promoter track record across projects, and ask direct questions about pending complaints before you commit. Looking to explore verified, RERAregistered residential projects across Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar? Browse current listings on Savitar Realty or talk to our team for a guided comparison.
17 Jul 2026
115 views
Quick answer: Gautam Adani and family have topped the 2026 GROHE-Hurun India Real Estate Rich List for the first time, with a real estate wealth of ₹90,400 crore, up 73% year-on-year. They overtake Rajiv Singh and family of DLF, who slip to second place with ₹90,200 crore after holding the top spot for nearly a decade. On the separate companies list, DLF still remains India's most valuable real estate company, even after its own valuation fell sharply this year. If you follow Indian real estate even loosely, this is one of the bigger reshuffles the sector has seen in years. The 2026 GROHE-Hurun India Real Estate Rich List, released this week, ends DLF's long run at the top of the individual wealth rankings and puts the spotlight on Adani Properties' sharp rise in valuation. Here's what actually happened, the full top 10, and since this is a real estate site based in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. What Is the GROHE-Hurun India Real Estate Rich List?The GROHE-Hurun India Real Estate Rich List is an annual ranking published by Hurun India, in partnership with GROHE, that measures the personal real estate wealth of India's richest individuals and families based on the value of their property companies. It sits alongside a related, separate ranking the Hurun India Real Estate 150 which ranks the real estate companies themselves by valuation, not the individuals who own them. That distinction matters for this year's story, because the two lists tell slightly different tales: On the individual wealth list, Gautam Adani and family are now India's richest real estate family. On the company valuation list, DLF is still India's most valuable real estate company, despite a tough year. Both things are true at once, and a lot of the coverage this week has blurred the two together. Adani Family Tops the List for the First Time: The NumbersAdani Properties was the biggest value creator in Indian real estate in 2026. The company's valuation rose 72.5% year-on-year to ₹90,400 crore, adding roughly ₹38,000 crore in a single year. That surge pushed the Ahmedabad-based company up four places to become India's fourth-most valuable real estate company overall, while it kept its position as the country's most valuable unlisted real estate developer. That jump in valuation is what carried Gautam Adani and family to the No. 1 position on the Rich List for the first time, climbing two spots with a real estate wealth of ₹90,400 crore — up 73% over last year. At 64, this marks a milestone in the group's real estate arm, which is headquartered in Ahmedabad and is best known locally for the Adani Shantigram township on SG Highway. DLF Still Holds the "Most Valuable Company" Title Just Not the Richest Family AnymoreHere's the nuance most headlines skip: DLF didn't lose ground on every front. The Gurugram-based developer's valuation fell 29.3% year-on-year to ₹1.46 lakh crore, a steep correction after a difficult year for listed developers but DLF comfortably retained its position as India's most valuable real estate company, well ahead of Adani Properties. What DLF did lose is the individual wealth crown. Rajiv Singh and family, who had held the No. 1 spot on the Rich List for close to a decade, slipped to second place with ₹90,200 crore — just ₹200 crore behind Adani, and effectively a photo finish at the top. Full Top 10: GROHE-Hurun India Real Estate Rich List 2026Rank Name & Family Real Estate Wealth (2026) Change vs. 2025 1 Gautam Adani & family (Adani Properties) ₹90,400 crore +73%, up 2 places 2 Rajiv Singh & family (DLF) ₹90,200 crore Down from No. 1 3 Mangal Prabhat Lodha & family (Lodha Developers) ₹67,700 crore Retained rank 4 Vikas Oberoi (Oberoi Realty) ₹42,500 crore Down ~10% 5 Chandru Raheja & family (K Raheja Corp) ₹42,200 crore Entered top 5 6 Atul Ruia & family (Phoenix Mills) ₹29,900 crore +13% 7 Raja Bagmane & family (Bagmane Prime Office REIT) ₹29,100 crore — 8 Niranjan Hiranandani (Hiranandani Group) ₹26,900 crore Entered top 10 9 Basant Bansal & family (M3M India) ₹25,500 crore Down 4 places 10 Bijay Kumar Agarwal & family (Sattva Developers, Knowledge Realty Trust) ₹20,500 crore Completed top 10 A few things stand out on this table. Lodha Developers held on to third place despite a 32.2% decline in its listed valuation, and REIT-backed names Bagmane Prime Office REIT and Knowledge Realty Trust now feature prominently, showing how commercial office REITs have become a real driver of promoter wealth, not just residential sales. Read more: Adani Shantigram Location Guide The Bigger Picture: A Slow Year for Indian Real Estate OverallThe individual rankings made headlines, but the underlying company data tells a more cautious story about the sector as a whole. The combined valuation of all 151 companies on the Hurun India Real Estate 150 rose just 2% this year, to ₹16.5 lakh crore the slowest growth since the rankings began nine years ago, down sharply from 14% growth the previous year. Hurun attributes the slowdown to a roughly 20% decline in the BSE Realty Index over the year, reflecting weaker investor sentiment amid geopolitical uncertainty and concerns tied to the broader AI-driven market correction. In that context, Adani Properties' 72.5% valuation jump looks even more striking it moved against the grain of an otherwise subdued year for listed developers. Why This Matters If You're Buying Property in Ahmedabad or GandhinagarNational rich-list rankings can feel disconnected from the decision to buy a 2 or 3 BHK flat in Ahmedabad. But this particular story has a genuine local angle, for two reasons. First, Adani Properties is headquartered in Ahmedabad, and its flagship residential project Adani Shantigram, near Vaishnodevi Circle on SG Highway, sits right in the middle of the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar growth corridor that Savitar Realty tracks closely. elysium novus embrace belrosa Aster neo atrius The storeys golf coast A 72.5% jump in group valuation, driven substantially by real estate assets, is generally read by analysts as a sign of continued developer confidence in the segments the company operates in, which for Adani includes integrated townships of exactly the kind seen at Shantigram. Second, developer financial strength is a genuine due-diligence factor for homebuyers, not just curiosity. A developer with a rising valuation and strong institutional backing is typically better positioned to fund construction on schedule, honour possession timelines, and sustain long-term township infrastructure (schools, clubhouses, retail) rather than leaving projects half-finished. This doesn't replace checking RERA registration or a builder's on-ground delivery record, but it's one more data point worth knowing before you shortlist a project. Read more: Ahmedabad Residential Real Estate Market Q2 2026 Report Individual Rich List vs. Real Estate 150 Companies List: Key Differences Individual Rich List Real Estate 150 (Companies) What it measures Personal real estate wealth of promoters/families Market/enterprise valuation of the company 2026 No. 1 Gautam Adani & family (₹90,400 crore) DLF (₹1.46 lakh crore) 2026 No. 2 Rajiv Singh & family (₹90,200 crore) Lodha Developers (₹93,700 crore) 2026 No. 3 Mangal Prabhat Lodha & family (₹67,700 crore) Indian Hotels Company (₹93,300 crore) Total covered Top 150+ individuals/families 151 companies Frequently Asked QuestionsWho topped the Hurun India Real Estate Rich List 2026? Gautam Adani and family topped the list for the first time, with a real estate wealth of ₹90,400 crore, an increase of 73% over the previous year. Did DLF lose its top position in Indian real estate? Only on the individual wealth ranking. Rajiv Singh and family of DLF slipped to second place on the Rich List with ₹90,200 crore. On the separate companies list, DLF still holds the title of India's most valuable real estate company, at ₹1.46 lakh crore. Why did Adani's real estate wealth grow so much in 2026? Adani Properties' valuation rose 72.5% year-on-year to ₹90,400 crore, an increase of about ₹38,000 crore the highest absolute valuation gain of any Indian real estate company this year. This moved it up four places to become India's fourth-most valuable real estate company and the country's largest unlisted developer. What is the difference between the Real Estate Rich List and the Real Estate 150? The Rich List ranks individuals and families by personal real estate wealth. The Real Estate 150 ranks the companies by valuation. Adani leads the first; DLF leads the second. How did the overall real estate sector perform in 2026? Weakly. Combined valuation across the 151 companies tracked grew just 2%, the slowest pace since the rankings began nine years ago, against a 20% decline in the BSE Realty Index over the same period. Is Adani Properties connected to any projects in Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar? Yes. Adani Properties is headquartered in Ahmedabad, and its best-known residential development is Adani Shantigram, an integrated township near Vaishnodevi Circle on SG Highway, spanning the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar corridor. Does a developer's rising valuation affect homebuyers directly? Not directly in terms of price, but it's a reasonable indicator of financial stability a well-capitalised developer is generally better placed to complete construction on time and sustain long-term amenities. Buyers should still independently verify RERA registration and a builder delivery track record before purchasing. Looking to explore verified residential projects along the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar corridor, including Adani Shantigram? Browse current listings on Savitar Realty Or talk to our team for a guided comparison.
16 Jul 2026
125 views
There's a good feeling that comes with selling a property for a solid profit, and then, almost immediately, a less pleasant one: figuring out how much of that profit the tax department is going to take. Since 1 April 2026, this has all run under the Income-tax Act, 2025, which replaced the old 1961 Act. If you sold your property before 31 March 2026, your return is still filed under the old 1961 Act rules for that transaction; the new Act governs sales made from 1 April 2026 onward. The drafting is cleaner, but don't assume the underlying rules on capital gains have changed much; they haven't, at least not yet. Treat the numbers in this guide as a starting point, and double-check anything time-sensitive with the Income Tax Department or your CA before you file. Key Takeaways You're taxed only on your profit, not the sale price: sale price minus purchase cost, improvements, and transfer expenses. Hold the property 24 months or more to qualify as a Long-Term Capital Gain (LTCG) and unlock exemptions. Section 54 and Section 54F can reduce your tax to zero, but both are capped at ₹10 crore, a limit in place since April 2024. Bought the property on or before 22 July 2024? You can choose between 20% tax with indexation or 12.5% without it, whichever comes out lower. No residential property to buy? Section 54EC lets you save tax by investing up to ₹50 lakh in specified bonds instead. NRIs get the same Section 54/54F exemptions as resident Indians, with TDS deducted by the buyer at the time of sale. What This Guide Covers How capital gains tax is actually calculated, step by step The difference between Short-Term Capital Gain (STCG) and Long-Term Capital Gain (LTCG) How Section 54, Section 54F, and Section 54EC exemptions work Tax rules for NRIs Practical, legal ways to cut your tax bill in 2026 Already thinking about where the reinvestment goes? Picking the right replacement property, inside the exemption window, is honestly half the battle. If you're weighing apartments, villas, or newer residential projects around Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar, it's worth browsing verified listings on Savitar Realty before you lock anything in. What Is Capital Gains Tax on Property Sale?Capital gains tax is the tax you pay on the profit from selling a capital asset, not on the full sale price. That's a common mix-up. For example: you bought a flat for ₹60 lakh and sold it for ₹95 lakh. Your capital gain isn't ₹95 lakh. It's the profit left after subtracting the purchase cost and eligible expenses: stamp duty, brokerage, legal fees, and the cost of any major improvements. Capital gains tax applies when you sell: Residential or commercial property Land Gold Shares and mutual funds Bonds and other investments How much tax you pay depends mainly on one thing: how long you owned the asset before selling it. What Counts as a Capital Asset?A capital asset is almost anything you own for personal use or investment. Common examples: residential houses, apartments, commercial offices, residential plots, industrial land, gold and jewellery, shares, mutual funds, and bonds. When you sell any of these at a profit, that profit is treated as a capital gain under Indian tax law. But not every gain is taxed the same way. It depends on how long you held the asset before selling. What Is the Holding Period for Long-Term Capital Gains on Property? For immovable property, the rule is simple: hold it for 24 months or more, and it's a long-term capital asset. Sell before that, and it's short-term. Capital Asset Short-Term Long-Term Residential House Less than 24 months 24 months or more Commercial Property Less than 24 months 24 months or more Residential Plot Less than 24 months 24 months or more Listed Shares Less than 12 months 12 months or more Equity Mutual Funds Less than 12 months 12 months or more Gold & Jewellery Less than 36 months 36 months or more This distinction matters because long-term gains get better tax treatment. Only long-term gains qualify for the Section 54 and 54F exemptions covered below. Read more: What is Jantri Rate in Gujarat? LTCG vs STCG on Property: Tax Rates Compared If you sell within 24 months, it's Short-Term Capital Gain (STCG), added to your regular income and taxed at your income tax slab rate. If you sell after 24 months, it's Long-Term Capital Gain (LTCG), which is taxed differently and opens the door to exemptions. Particular STCG LTCG Holding Period Less than 24 months 24 months or more Tax Rate Your income tax slab rate 12.5% (see indexation note below) Section 54 Exemption Not available Available Section 54F Exemption Not available Available Do you get indexation benefit on LTCG? This is where most guides get it wrong. Indexation isn't simply gone. Here's the actual rule: Property bought on or before 22 July 2024: you get a choice. Pay 12.5% without indexation, or 20% with indexation, whichever works out lower for you. Property bought after 22 July 2024: it's a flat 12.5% without indexation, with no choice. If your property is old and its purchase price is low, indexation (which adjusts your cost for inflation using the Cost Inflation Index) can sometimes save you more tax than the flat 12.5% rate. It's worth calculating both ways before you file, or asking your CA to run the comparison. How to Calculate Capital Gains on Sale of PropertyMany property owners assume tax is charged on the full sale price. It isn't. Tax applies only to the profit. The formula: Capital Gain = Sale Consideration − Cost of Acquisition − Cost of Improvement − Transfer Expenses Sale Consideration: what you actually receive from the buyer Cost of Acquisition: what you originally paid for the property (in Gujarat, this includes the stamp duty you paid at registration, based on the applicable Jantri rate) Cost of Improvement: money spent on major renovations that increased the property's value Transfer Expenses: brokerage, legal fees, advertising costs, and similar sale-related expenses Example: Say you bought a 3BHK flat in Bodakdev, Ahmedabad for ₹65 lakh and sold it five years later for ₹1.1 crore. You spent ₹8 lakh on renovation and ₹3 lakh on brokerage and legal charges. Particular Amount Sale Price ₹1,10,00,000 Less: Purchase Price ₹65,00,000 Less: Renovation ₹8,00,000 Less: Brokerage & Legal Charges ₹3,00,000 Capital Gain ₹34,00,000 This ₹34 lakh is what gets taxed, before any Section 54 exemption is applied. If you'd held the flat for over 24 months (as in this example), you can now use that ₹34 lakh reinvestment to claim a full or partial exemption under Section 54. How to Get Your Index 2 (Index Copy) Online in GujaratOnline Property Card Gujarat: View, Download & Apply 2026 How to Save Capital Gains Tax on Sale of Property You can legally reduce, or eliminate, capital gains tax mainly through three routes: Section 54, Section 54F, and the Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS) if you need more time to reinvest. Here's how each one actually works. The key is timing: tax planning should start before you sell, not after. Section 54: Exemption on Sale of a Residential House If you sell a long-term residential house and reinvest the capital gain in another residential house, you can claim a full or partial exemption. Conditions: Buy the new house within 1 year before or 2 years after the sale, or construct one within 3 years of the sale. The new property must be in India. You cannot claim this exemption for a house bought abroad. Available only to individuals and HUFs. The exemption is capped at ₹10 crore. If your gain or your reinvestment exceeds ₹10 crore, the excess is not exempt. This cap has applied since April 2024 and still holds in 2026. Two-house rule: if your capital gain is ₹2 crore or less, you can invest in two residential properties instead of one, and claim exemption on both. This option can only be used once in your lifetime. Example: Your long-term capital gain is ₹2 crore, and you buy a new flat worth ₹3 crore. Your entire ₹2 crore gain is exempt. If instead you invest only ₹1.5 crore of that gain, only ₹1.5 crore is exempt. The remaining ₹50 lakh is taxable. One more thing to know: if you sell the new house within 3 years of buying or constructing it, the exemption you claimed earlier gets reversed and becomes taxable in the year you sell the new house. Don't treat Section 54 as a one-time trick. It comes with a genuine 3-year holding commitment on the replacement property too. Read more:Is Bodakdev the Best Place to Live in Ahmedabad?Prahlad Nagar Ahmedabad: Premium Living Guide 2026What is a Penthouse? Benefits & Guide to Buying in India (2026)Section 54F: Exemption on Sale of Assets Other Than a House Section 54F applies when you sell a long-term capital asset that isn't a residential house (a plot of land, gold, or shares, for example) and reinvest in a residential house. The key difference from Section 54: you must reinvest the entire net sale consideration (not just the profit) to get a full exemption. If you invest only part of it, the exemption is calculated proportionally: 54F Exemption = Capital Gains × (Amount Invested in New House ÷ Net Sale Consideration) Example: You sell a plot for a net consideration of ₹80 lakh, with a capital gain of ₹50 lakh. You reinvest ₹60 lakh of that ₹80 lakh in a new residential flat. Exemption = ₹50,00,000 × (₹60,00,000 ÷ ₹80,00,000) = ₹37,50,000 exempt. The remaining ₹12,50,000 of your gain is taxable. Other conditions: You must not own more than one residential house (besides the new one) on the date of sale. You cannot buy another house within 2 years or construct one within 3 years of the sale, or you risk losing the exemption. This exemption is also capped at ₹10 crore. Read more:7/12 Utara Gujarat: Check & Download Free on AnyRORBhulekh Gujarat: Check 7/12, 8A & Land Map Online 2026 Difference Between Section 54 and Section 54F Basis Section 54 Section 54F Asset Sold Residential house Any long-term asset other than a residential house Investment Needed for Full Exemption Entire capital gain Entire net sale consideration Partial Investment Uninvested gain becomes taxable Proportionate exemption (see formula above) Owning Other Houses No restriction Cannot own more than one other house on the sale date Two-House Option Yes, once in a lifetime, if gain ≤ ₹2 crore Not allowed Exemption Cap ₹10 crore ₹10 crore Sale of New House Within 3 Years Exemption withdrawn Exemption withdrawn Eligible For Individuals & HUF Individuals & HUF Section 54EC: Save Tax Without Buying Another House Don't want to reinvest in property at all? Section 54EC lets you save LTCG tax by investing in specified government-backed bonds instead, from the sale of land or a building. How it works: Invest your capital gain (not the full sale value) in bonds issued by REC, PFC, IRFC, or other institutions notified for this purpose, within 6 months of the sale. The exemption is capped at ₹50 lakh per financial year (this can effectively stretch to ₹1 crore if you sell after 30 September and split the investment across two financial years). Bonds carry a mandatory 5-year lock-in; selling or converting them early reverses the exemption. Interest on these bonds (around 5-5.25% per annum) is taxable, but the capital gains exemption itself is not affected by that. Available to all taxpayers, not just individuals and HUFs, unlike Section 54 and 54F. Why this matters: Section 54EC can be combined with Section 54 for gains beyond the ₹10 crore cap, or used entirely on its own if you'd rather not tie up funds in another property. Note that the list of eligible issuers has changed before (NHAI stopped accepting new applications in September 2022), so confirm the current list with your bank or the issuer before investing. Rental (Let-Out) Property: Does Section 54 Still Apply? Yes. If you're selling a residential property that's currently rented out, it still qualifies for Section 54 as long as its income is assessed under "Income from House Property," which is the normal case for a rented residential flat. The exemption rules and the ₹10 crore cap apply the same way as for a self-occupied home. Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS): What If You Can't Reinvest in Time? If you can't buy or construct your new house before your income tax return filing deadline, you don't automatically lose the exemption. Deposit the eligible amount into a CGAS account at a public sector bank (some private and small finance banks now offer this too) before your filing due date, and use it later, within the same 2-year (purchase) or 3-year (construction) window. Deposits and withdrawals under CGAS now accept UPI, NEFT, RTGS, and card payments, which has made the scheme easier to use than it was a few years ago. If the deposited amount isn't used within the specified time, it becomes taxable income in the year the window closes. If you're planning to claim Section 54 or 54F, talk to a tax professional well before your filing deadline. CGAS has procedural steps that are easy to miss. Capital Gains Tax on Property for NRIs Yes, NRIs can claim the same Section 54 and 54F exemptions as resident Indians, if they meet the same conditions. The main practical difference is TDS (Tax Deducted at Source). When an NRI sells property in India, the buyer is required to deduct TDS before making payment. The exact rate depends on whether the gain is short-term or long-term. NRIs can claim a refund of any excess TDS deducted when they file their return. A few extra things NRIs should keep in mind: The new property must be located in India to qualify for the exemption. Review FEMA regulations (Reserve Bank of India) before buying or selling property in India, since these govern repatriation of sale proceeds. Talk to a tax professional before signing the sale agreement, not after. TDS and repatriation planning are much easier to get right upfront. Read more: Ahmedabad Property Tax 2026: How to Calculate & Pay Online What Changed Under the Income-tax Act, 2025? The Income-tax Act, 2025 took effect on 1 April 2026, replacing the Income-tax Act, 1961. It reorganizes and simplifies the law rather than rewriting the tax treatment of capital gains. Key changes: "Tax Year" replaces the old "Previous Year" and "Assessment Year" terminology. Sections have been renumbered and consolidated. Different tax guides currently list different new section numbers for the old Section 54, so we're deliberately not naming one here until the CBDT issues a confirmed section-mapping circular. We'll update this guide once that's official. The core mechanics, including holding periods, exemption conditions, and the ₹10 crore cap, carry over unchanged for now. Greater emphasis on digital compliance and faceless assessment. Because tax provisions can still shift through Finance Acts and CBDT notifications, always verify the current position before filing. Common Mistakes That Increase Capital Gains TaxSelling before completing the 24-month holding period, and losing LTCG treatment Not keeping purchase documents, renovation bills, or brokerage receipts Missing the 1-year-before/2-year-after (purchase) or 3-year (construction) deadlines for Section 54/54F Forgetting to use CGAS when reinvestment can't be completed before the filing deadline Assuming every reinvestment automatically qualifies, without checking the ₹10 crore cap or the "own only one other house" rule under 54F A little planning before the sale usually saves far more tax than trying to fix things afterward. Tips to Save Capital Gains Tax Legally Confirm whether your sale qualifies as long-term (24+ months) before you fix a selling price. Keep every purchase, renovation, and brokerage document. You'll need them to calculate cost of acquisition accurately. If reinvesting in a house, check the ₹10 crore cap and the 1-year/2-year/3-year windows before you commit funds. If selling a plot, gold, or shares, run the Section 54F proportional-exemption formula before deciding how much to reinvest. Can't reinvest before your filing deadline? Deposit into CGAS to preserve the exemption. Don't want to buy another property? Look at Section 54EC bonds, within the 6-month window and the ₹50 lakh cap, as an alternative or add-on to Section 54. For high-value sales, get a Chartered Accountant to compare the 12.5%-without-indexation vs. 20%-with-indexation options if your property was bought before 23 July 2024. The difference can be significant. Final Thoughts Capital gains tax on a property sale doesn't have to be confusing. Once you know your holding period, calculate your gain correctly, and understand how Section 54 and 54F actually work, including the ₹10 crore cap and the indexation choice, you can legally reduce your tax bill, often by a large margin. If you're planning to sell a property in 2026, don't leave the tax planning for the last minute. A little planning today can save you a substantial amount tomorrow. For official updates, refer to the Income Tax Department and consult a qualified tax advisor for advice specific to your situation. Frequently Asked Questions What is capital gains tax?It's the tax charged on the profit from selling a capital asset, such as property, land, shares, or gold, not on the full sale amount. What is the difference between STCG and LTCG?STCG applies when you sell before completing the required holding period (24 months for property); LTCG applies after that period and opens up exemptions like Section 54 and 54F that STCG doesn't qualify for. Can I avoid capital gains tax legally?Yes, within limits. Reinvesting your gain (Section 54) or your full sale proceeds (Section 54F) in a residential property can reduce or eliminate your tax, subject to the ₹10 crore cap and the reinvestment timelines. What is the holding period for property to qualify as long-term?24 months or more from the date of purchase to the date of sale. Can NRIs claim Section 54 benefits?Yes, on the same terms as resident Indians, with TDS deducted by the buyer at the time of sale. Is indexation available on property sold in 2026?It depends on when you bought the property. If you bought on or before 22 July 2024, you can choose between 12.5% tax without indexation or 20% with indexation, whichever is lower. Property bought after that date is taxed at a flat 12.5% without indexation. Is there a cap on how much I can claim as exemption under Section 54 or 54F?Yes, both are capped at ₹10 crore, in effect since April 2024. Can I save tax without buying another house? Yes. Section 54EC lets you invest your capital gain in specified bonds (from the sale of land or a building) within 6 months, for an exemption of up to ₹50 lakh, with a 5-year lock-in. This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Capital gains rules can change through Finance Acts and CBDT notifications. Always verify current provisions with the Income Tax Department or a qualified Chartered Accountant before making a decision.
16 Jul 2026
123 views
Ahmedabad has a new spot for evening walks. On July 12, 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah virtually opened a brand-new Heritage Park on the Sabarmati River. UNM Foundation built it. This is the philanthropic arm of the Torrent Group. They worked with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on the project. Where Is the New Heritage Park Located? The Heritage Park sits on the river's eastern bank. You'll find it between Swami Vivekananda Bridge and Nehru Bridge. It covers about 20,000 square metres. The build cost was around Rs 10 crore. This stretch is part of Ahmedabad's older, eastern city zone. It sits closer to Shahibaug, Kalupur, and Dariapur. It's further from the western bank areas like Navrangpura or Ashram Road. Those western areas usually get more attention. Keep this in mind. We'll return it in the real estate section below. The park is one part of the larger Sabarmati Riverfront. This is an 11-kilometre-plus public promenade. AMC has built it on both banks of the river since the early 2000s. What's Inside the Heritage Park? 5 Installations Explained This isn't just a green patch with benches. It's built as a "living canvas." It walks visitors through Ahmedabad's history using five permanent installations: Ruling Dynasties exhibits the city's past rulers and how they shaped its growth. The Royal Axis links three famous Old City landmarks: Bhadra Fort, Teen Darwaza, and Jama Masjid. Mata ni Pachhedi a tribute to this centuries-old Gujarati folk art. Artists hand-paint these temple cloths to depict the mother goddess. The City's Changing Urban Centre shows how Ahmedabad's commercial heart has shifted over time. The Historic Circus Grounds: a nod to the popular circus that once set up on the Sabarmati riverbed. Together, these five zones give visitors a quick, walkable timeline of Ahmedabad's culture. This fits well with the city's status. Ahmedabad is India's first UNESCO World Heritage City. Who Built the Heritage Park? UNM Foundation's Pratiti Initiative UNM Foundation built the park under its Pratiti urban renewal programme. This is a public-private partnership with AMC. A few numbers help explain the project's scale: This is the foundation's 12th park in Ahmedabad. Together, its parks now cover more than 1.5 lakh square metres. That's over 15% of the city's total green area. Four more parks are already under construction. They will add over 40,000 square metres. Under Pratiti, the foundation has restored 17 parks and two lakes across Gujarat. That's 8.44 lakh square metres in total. It has also promised to restore 69 lakes in and around Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. UNM Foundation says its wider work has reached over 25 million people. This spans healthcare, education, ecology, art, and culture. It covers Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Daman. You can read the full official announcement in ThePrint's coverage of the inauguration. Part of a Bigger Green Push: 101 Oxygen Parks & AMC's Riverfront Vision Heritage Park didn't launch alone. On the same day, AMC opened 101 Oxygen Parks across Ahmedabad. This was part of the "Green Lok Sabha Campaign" and the Centre's "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" tree drive.Many of these parks use the Miyawaki method. This is a dense, fast-growth planting technique. It helps boost tree cover and air quality across the city. Amit Shah's visit wasn't limited to parks, either. The same event also saw him inaugurate or lay foundation stones for a wider set of AMC, AUDA, and Roads & Buildings Department projects worth roughly Rs 405 crore. This figure covers the full day's civic works, not the Heritage Park alone, but it shows how much investment is currently flowing into this corridor. This fits a bigger pattern. AMC has also proposed a large expansion of the Sabarmati Riverfront. This is in its draft 2026-27 budget. It may include a convention centre, upgraded promenades, and a study for a water metro. So think of the Heritage Park as one piece of this larger riverfront push, not a one-off project. Visiting the Heritage Park: Timings, Entry Fee & How to Reach As of now, AMC and UNM Foundation haven't shared separate visiting hours or an entry fee for this new park. Most of the Sabarmati Riverfront stays free to enter. It's usually open from sunrise to sunset. Only a few spots, like Flower Park, charge an entry fee. Treat this as a general guide, not a fixed schedule. It's worth checking AMC's official channels closer to your visit. How to reach it: By train: Kalupur (Ahmedabad Junction) railway station is a few kilometres away. An auto or cab ride takes about 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. By road: The park lies between the Nehru Bridge and the Vivekananda Bridge. Both connect well to Ashram Road and the eastern city roads. Parking: You'll find riverfront parking near most bridge access points. Spots get tighter on weekends and during events. How Could the Heritage Park Affect Real Estate Near Sabarmati Riverfront? The Sabarmati Riverfront has a strong track record. It tends to lift property values wherever it grows: Riverfront-area properties have seen an estimated 30–40% rise in value over the past decade. Much of this credit goes to the promenade's growth. On the western bank, Ashram Road now averages around Rs 7,250 per sq. ft. Office rental yields there are close to 9.77%. Navrangpura residential rates average around Rs 8,350 per sq. ft. 3 bhk Flats in NavrangpuraMost of this earlier price growth sat on the western bank. That's where the riverfront developed first. The new Heritage Park is situated on the eastern bank. This zone hasn't seen the same level of price growth as in the west. A new cultural landmark here could slowly change that. Here's why: More footfall. Heritage sites draw regular local visitors and tourists. This usually helps demand nearby food stalls, retail, and short-stay rentals. Fresh attention to the Old City corridor. Shahibaug, Kalupur, and Dariapur sit close to this stretch. They're generally more affordable than western-bank areas. That makes them worth a look for buyers wanting early entry into a growing corridor. More government spending. AMC's parallel push, with 101 Oxygen Parks and a proposed Rs 853-crore riverfront expansion, shows steady civic investment here. This kind of spending has often come before real estate interest in other parts of the city. That said, treat this as a reasonable read of the trend, not a promise. Prices depend on many things. Connectivity, metro access, and overall demand all play a role. Use this as background for your own research, not as investment advice. Should You Invest Near the New Heritage Park? Key Considerations Thinking about buying in this stretch of Ahmedabad? Check these points first: Traffic and crowds on weekends. Riverfront parks get busy in the evenings and during events. Factor this into your daily commute. Connectivity. Look at how close the property is to metro stations and AMTS/BRTS routes. Don't just check the distance to the park. RERA registration and builder track record. Always verify these on your own before you book. Do this no matter how good the location story sounds. Rental potential. If tourism grows around the Heritage Park, rental demand nearby could grow with it. Compare, don't assume. Eastern bank prices are lower than in the west right now. That's an opportunity. But it only pays off if the basics — builder quality, layout, and legal clarity — hold up on their own. Savitar Realty Tracks verified, RERA-approved projects across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and GIFT City. This includes listings near the Sabarmati Riverfront corridor. It's a good place to start if you want to explore this area with the proper documents and virtual walkthroughs before visiting in person. FAQs Where exactly is Ahmedabad's new Heritage Park located? It sits on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati River, between Swami Vivekananda Bridge and Nehru Bridge. Who developed the Heritage Park in Ahmedabad? UNM Foundation built it. This is the philanthropic arm of the Torrent Group. They worked with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation under the Pratiti urban renewal initiative. Is entry free at the Heritage Park? There's no confirmed fee for this park yet. Most riverfront public areas stay free. Only a few spots, like Flower Park, charge for entry. It's best to confirm locally before you go. What can visitors see inside the Heritage Park? Five permanent installations. These cover Ahmedabad's ruling dynasties, the Royal Axis (Bhadra Fort, Teen Darwaza, Jama Masjid), Mata ni Pachhedi folk art, the city's changing urban centre, and the historic circus ground. How many parks does UNM Foundation now maintain in Ahmedabad? Twelve after this launch. Together, they cover over 1.5 lakh square metres. That's more than 15% of the city's total green cover. Does a new park like this actually raise nearby property values? Often, yes. Sabarmati Riverfront growth has linked to a 30–40% rise in nearby property values over the past decade. But results vary by area. Many factors play a role, not just the park. What's the nearest railway station to the Heritage Park? Kalupur (Ahmedabad Junction). It's about a 15–20-minute auto or cab ride away. Final Word Ahmedabad's new Heritage Park adds one more cultural landmark to a riverfront that keeps reshaping the city. This holds true both socially and economically. Whether you're planning a weekend visit or scouting for your next property, keep an eye on the eastern bank corridor near Shahibaug and Kalupur. Want to explore verified, RERA-approved projects in this part of Ahmedabad? Browse Savitar Realty's current listings or talk to our team for a guided comparison.
15 Jul 2026
136 views
If you've been tracking property rates in Ahmedabad over the last few months, you've probably noticed something: launches are up, rents keep climbing, and the west side of the city is where all the action is. The numbers for April to June 2026 back that up, and they tell a clear story about where the Ahmedabad housing market is headed for the rest of the year. This report breaks down the latest Ahmedabad residential real estate data: unit launches, capital values, rental trends, submarket performance, and the economic backdrop driving it all. It's based on the Q2 2026 Cushman & Wakefield Ahmedabad MarketBeat report. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer comparing localities, an investor watching capital appreciation, or just curious about where Ahmedabad property prices are moving, here's what the quarter looked like. Ahmedabad Real Estate Market at a Glance (Q2 2026) Indicator Q2 2026 Figure YoY Change New residential unit launches 6,143 units +19% H1 2026 total launches ~12,800 units +20% City-wide weighted average capital value Up annually +12% YoY (-6% QoQ) City-wide average rental value Rising steadily +4% YoY (+2% QoQ) Prime CBD capital value INR 7.9K to 8.6K/sq ft N/A NHB Residex (March 2026) 107.3 N/A Ahmedabad recorded 6,143 new residential unit launches in Q2 2026, a strong 19% jump compared to the same quarter last year, even though launches dipped 9% from the previous quarter. That sequential dip isn't really a red flag. The quarter still ran 25% above the three-year quarterly average, and H1 2026 launches together touched nearly 12,800 units, up roughly 20% year-on-year. In plain terms: developers are still confident in Ahmedabad, and supply is coming in faster than it has in years. West and West Peripheral Submarkets Are Driving the Market Nearly 40% of all Q2 launches came from the West and West Peripheral corridors: think Shela, South Bopal, Bopal, and Hebatpur. This isn't a new trend; these areas have had land availability and infrastructure momentum for a while, and Q2 2026 simply confirmed the pattern. Related Blog: is shela is best place to live Is south bopal is best place to live The North Peripheral submarket came in second with an 18% share, concentrated around Tragad, Ognaj, and Gota, areas that continue to benefit from proximity to the GIFT City corridor. For homebuyers, this matters because it tells you where inventory choice is widest right now. For investors, it signals where developers see the strongest medium-term demand. Segment-Wise Breakdown: Mid-Segment Still Leads, But Luxury Is Surging Mid-segment housing held the largest share of launches at 36%, even though it fell 35% quarter-on-quarter and 29% year-on-year, a natural correction after a very active previous stretch. Affordable housing captured 31% of launches, recovering well after a slower previous quarter. High-end luxury housing together made up about 33% of the launches. This is the standout number of the quarter. The segment recorded 4x annual growth, concentrated in the West Peripheral (55%) and West (19%) submarkets. That's a meaningful shift in buyer's appetite toward higher ticket sizes, and it's worth watching if you're evaluating premium inventory in Ahmedabad. For reference, based on the current classification: Affordable housing is priced up to INR 55 lakh; Mid-segment falls between INR 55 lakh and 1.5 crore; High-end spans INR 1.5 to 2.2 crore; and anything above INR 2.2 crore is classified as Luxury. Developer Spotlight: Savitar Realty Alongside the launches tracked above, Bopal and the wider West Peripheral corridor (the same belt driving 40% of this quarter's citywide launches) are also where Savitar Realty is building. If you're evaluating options in this high-growth stretch of Ahmedabad, it's worth adding to your shortlist alongside the projects listed in this report. Economic Indicators Shaping Ahmedabad's Housing Market Real estate doesn't move in isolation: broader economic conditions set the tone for both buyer sentiment and lending costs. GDP Growth (Q4 FY25-26): 7.80%, reflecting continued economic expansion (Source: MOSPI) CPI Inflation: 3.93%, staying within a manageable range External Benchmark Lending Rate (EBLR): 7.90%, which directly influences home loan interest rates (Source: Reserve Bank of India) NHB Residex (March 2026): 107.3, up year-on-year, confirming the broader appreciation trend captured in this report (Source: NHB Residex) Strong GDP growth paired with controlled inflation is generally supportive of housing demand: it keeps buyer confidence intact even as lending rates stay relatively firm. Outlook: What to Expect in the Second Half of 2026 Based on current trends, the short-term outlook for most Ahmedabad submarkets remains stable, with West Peripheral standing out as the one zone flagged for continued upward movement in both capital values and rents. Prime CBD capital values and the NHB Residex are also trending upward. Practically, this means: Buyers in West and West Peripheral corridors should expect prices to keep firming up gradually rather than correcting. Waiting it out is unlikely to bring meaningfully lower entry points. Renters eyeing West Ahmedabad should note that this submarket posted the highest YoY rent growth (10%) in the city. Investors may find the luxury and high-end segment worth a closer look, given its 4x annual growth in launches and concentration in exactly the corridors seeing the strongest rental and capital appreciation. Frequently Asked Questions How many residential units were launched in Ahmedabad in Q2 2026?Ahmedabad recorded 6,143 new residential unit launches in Q2 2026, a 19% increase year-on-year, though 9% lower than the previous quarter. Which areas of Ahmedabad saw the newest project launches in Q2 2026?The West and West Peripheral submarkets led with 40% of total launches, driven by activity in Shela, South Bopal, Bopal, and Hebatpur. The North Peripheral submarket followed with an 18% share, centred around Tragad, Ognaj, and Gota. What is the current average property price in Ahmedabad?Prices vary widely by submarket and segment. Mid-segment properties range from roughly INR 3,000 to 7,200 per sq ft depending on location, while high-end properties in Central and West Ahmedabad range from INR 6,200 to 9,200 per sq ft. Which locality in Ahmedabad has seen the highest rental growth?The West submarket (covering areas like Satellite, Thaltej, Prahladnagar, and Vastrapur) recorded the highest annual rental growth in the city at 10%, driven by its proximity to major employment hubs along S.G. Highway. Is now a good time to invest in Ahmedabad real estate?With capital values up 12% year-on-year, rental demand is rising steadily, and the luxury segment is growing four-fold annually. Current data suggests sustained momentum rather than a slowdown, particularly in the West and West Peripheral corridors. That said, individual investment decisions should factor in your budget, loan eligibility, and long-term goals. What does the NHB Residex figure of 107.3 mean?NHB Residex is India's official housing price index, published by the National Housing Bank. A reading of 107.3 for March 2026 reflects year-on-year appreciation in housing prices relative to the index's base year, corroborating the capital value growth seen in Ahmedabad's own market data. Market data and figures referenced in this article are sourced from the Cushman & Wakefield Ahmedabad Residential MarketBeat Report, Q2 2026, based on information collected until 12th June 2026. Figures are subject to periodic revision as new market data becomes available.
14 Jul 2026
155 views
Planning to buy a home in 2026? One number matter most: how much of your income goes toward your EMI. Knight Frank India just answered that question for eight major cities. Ahmedabad comes out on top. Ahmedabad homebuyers now spend just 23% of their income on EMIs. That's the lowest in the country. Mumbai and Delhi-NCR buyers, on the other hand, still spend over half their income on loan payments. Here's what the report found, city by city. And what does it mean if you're planning to buy it? What is the Knight Frank Affordability Index?The idea is simple. Knight Frank Checks how much of a household's income goes toward the EMI on an average home loan. This is the EMI-to-income ratio. A city counts as "affordable" when this ratio is 50% or lower. Go above that, and banks get nervous. There's just not enough income left for other expenses. To keep things fair, Knight Frank uses the same loan setup for every city: 20-year loan term 80% loan-to-value Average local home loan rates City-average prices, based on unsold housing stock Ahmedabad Leads: Why It's India's Most Affordable CityAhmedabad's ratio is 23% for H1 2026. That's the best score of all eight cities. It's also well under the 50% danger line. This number hasn't changed since 2025. So, there's no sudden price shock hurting buyers here. Why does Ahmedabad keep winning this ranking? A few reasons: Property prices stay moderate compared to other big metros. The city offers a good supply of mid-sized homes. Local incomes, backed by pharma, textiles, and manufacturing, have kept pace with prices. For Ahmedabad buyers, this means a real breathing room each month. Enough to consider a bigger home. Or simply save more money. City-Wise EMI-to-Income Ratio (H1 2026)City EMI-to-Income Ratio Affordable? Ahmedabad 23% Yes — most affordable Kolkata 25% Yes Pune 28% Yes Chennai 29% Yes Bengaluru 35% Yes Hyderabad 41% Yes NCR 67% No MMR (Mumbai) 69% No — least affordable Why Mumbai and NCR Remain Out of Reach MMR is India's least affordable market. Its ratio is 69%. NCR follows close behind at 67%. Both are well past what banks see as safe. The reason is simple. Land costs are high. City cores are crowded. Base prices stay far above other cities, even with cheaper loans on offer. That's why more Mumbai and NCR buyers now look at redevelopment projects and satellite towns instead of the city core. RBI Rate Cuts Are Keeping EMIs in CheckCheaper loans did most of the work this year. The RBI cut its repo rate by 125 basis points in total. Home loan rates now start near 7.1% for strong credit borrowers. The rate has been steady at 5.25% since February. The RBI paused again in June. It pointed to energy-price risks from West Asia and monsoon uncertainty as reasons to hold. This is why affordability stayed flat in most cities, even as prices kept rising. Knight Frank India Chairman Shishir Baijal said affordability drives housing demand. He noted that cheaper loans have kept home sales close to post-pandemic highs. Which Cities Got Less Affordable? Not every city held steady. Two saw affordability slip a bit compared to 2025: Bengaluru: up from 34% to 35% NCR: up from 66% to 67% The rest — Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, and MMR — stayed the same. What This Means If You're Buying in Ahmedabad Three things to know if you're house-hunting in Ahmedabad right now: Lower EMI load. At 23%, you have far more room each month than buyers in Bengaluru, NCR, or Mumbai. Cheap loans, for now. Rates near 7.1% and a steady repo rate make this a fair time to borrow. No price shock. A flat ratio means prices and incomes are moving together, not apart. City averages don't tell the full story, though. Your own EMI depends on the locality, the builder, and your credit score. Check the real numbers before you commit. Housing Affordability Outlook for H2 2026Knight Frank expects affordability to stay stable through H2 2026. Steady jobs, city growth, and rising incomes should support this. FY27 GDP growth is pegged at 6.6%. Inflation is forecast at 5.1%. The RBI is watching both closely. The main risks: fresh inflation pressure, or a global shock that pushes rates back up. Barring that, Ahmedabad should keep its lead as India's most affordable big city. Quick Takeaways Ahmedabad is India's most affordable city to buy a home: 23% EMI-to-income ratio in H1 2026. MMR (69%) and NCR (67%) are the only cities above the 50% affordability line. RBI's 125 bps of rate cuts kept EMIs in check despite rising prices. Bengaluru and NCR got slightly less affordable. Six other cities held steady. The outlook for H2 2026 is stable. Inflation and global risk are the main threats. FAQs Which city is most affordable for buying a home in India right now? Ahmedabad. Its EMI-to-income ratio is 23% in H1 2026 — the lowest of India's eight major cities. What EMI-to-income ratio counts as affordable? 50% or below. That's Knight Frank's benchmark. Above that, banks usually hesitate to approve the loan. Why is Mumbai so unaffordable for homebuyers? High land costs and a crowded, supply-tight core push MMR's ratio to 69%. That's the highest in India. How have RBI rate cuts helped homebuyers? A total of 125 bps in cuts brought home loan rates down to nearly 7.1% for strong credit profiles. This offset rising property prices. Is now a good time to buy in Ahmedabad? Conditions look favorable: low EMI load, steady rates, and a flat affordability trend. Still, check the numbers for your specific property first. Looking to buy a home in Ahmedabad? With affordability on your side, now's a good time to start looking. At Savitar Realty, we help you compare verified residential projects, understand current pricing, and shortlist the right property for your budget — explore our latest listings at savitarrealty.com.
11 Jul 2026
127 views
Quick answer: Most banks and NBFCs in India want a CIBIL score of 700 to 750 or higher to approve a home loan at their best interest rate. A score between 650 and 699 can still get approved, usually with a higher rate or tighter conditions attached.Below 650, approval gets harder, though not impossible. Income stability, a co-applicant with a stronger score, or a larger down payment can still carry an application through.If you're planning to apply for a home loan this year, your CIBIL score is probably the first thing the bank will look at, often before it even opens your income documents. This guide walks through the minimum CIBIL score required for a home loan, how lenders actually use that number, and what genuinely moves the needle if your score needs work.What is a CIBIL Score?A CIBIL score is a three digit number between 300 and 900. It's issued by TransUnion CIBIL, one of four credit bureaus authorised by the Reserve Bank of India, the other three being Equifax, Experian, and CRIF High Mark.The number itself is built from your credit history. That includes how many loans and credit cards you've held, whether you've paid them on time, how much of your available credit you typically use, and how often you go looking for new credit.A score closer to 900 tells a lender you're likely to repay on schedule. Most banks in India lean on the CIBIL score more than the other three bureaus simply because their loan processing systems were built around it first, so it's the one that shows up on almost every home loan checklist.Understanding the CIBIL Score Required to Get a Home LoanHome loans run long, often 15 to 30 years, so lenders want early proof that a borrower repays reliably before they get into income proof or property valuation.Here's roughly how banks read the number:CIBIL Score RangeWhat It SignalsLikely Loan Outcome750-900Excellent repayment historyFast approval, lowest interest rates, higher loan amount700-749Good repayment historyApproval likely, competitive rates650-699Fair, some riskApproval possible, but usually at a higher rate600-649Weak historyHarder approval, may need a co-applicant or collateralBelow 600Poor historyHigh chance of rejection at most banksNH / NANew to creditJudged on income and employment insteadMinimum CIBIL Score Required for a Home LoanHere's something worth knowing upfront: the Reserve Bank of India doesn't fix a minimum credit score for home loans anywhere in its regulations. Each bank sets its own internal cut off, and those cut offs shift from time to time based on the lender's own risk appetite.That said, current practice across most Indian lenders settles around a floor of 700, with 750 and above treated as the sweet spot for the best rates.A rough sense of where individual lenders stand:LenderTypical Minimum CIBIL ScoreSBI650-699 accepted, better pricing from 700 upwardHDFCAround 720, sometimes 750 for specific loan variantsICICI Bank700+ preferred, some HFC arms accept lower with conditionsAxis Bank650-750 treated as standard, 750+ unlocks the best dealsNBFCs and housing finance companiesOften more flexible, occasionally below 650 with stronger income proofThese numbers move around, so it's worth confirming directly with the lender before you apply rather than relying on any single blog, including this one.Why Credit Score Matters for Home Loan ApprovalYour score doesn't just decide a yes or no. It quietly shapes almost every term the bank offers you.A high score usually gets you a lower interest rate, since the lender treats you as low risk. On the flip side, a weak score can tack on an extra 0.5 to 1 percent, and over a 20 year tenure that difference adds up to real money.It also affects how much the bank is willing to lend. With a lower score, some lenders will sanction only 60 to 70 percent of the property value instead of the usual 75 to 80 percent, which means you'd need a bigger down payment out of pocket.Beyond the numbers, a strong score usually means faster processing, fewer document back and forths, and more room to negotiate processing fees across lenders.How to Check CIBIL Score Online for Home LoanIt's worth checking your own score before a bank does, so nothing catches you off guard mid application. Checking your own score counts as a soft inquiry, so it never brings your score down, no matter how often you check it.Here's the full step by step checklist:Go to the official CIBIL websiteFill in basic detailsEnter PAN and date of birthVerify identity with OTPAnswer identity verification questionsAccess your score and reportCheck for a bank/UPI app shortcutRead the full report section by section (personal info, account info, payment history, enquiries)Flag and dispute any errorsTrack the dispute and follow upTime it right, two to three months before applyingCan I Get a Home Loan With a Low CIBIL Score?Yes, though it comes with strings attached. A low score doesn't shut the door automatically. It just pushes the lender to lean harder on everything else in your profile.A few things that genuinely help:Bring in a co-applicant with a strong score, like a spouse or a parent. This can lift the combined credit profile significantly.Offer a larger down payment, which lowers the loan to value ratio and reduces the lender's exposure.Show stable, well documented income, especially a long salary or business history.Try NBFCs or housing finance companies, which tend to be more flexible than traditional banks on hard score cut offs.Offer additional collateral where the lender allows it.Government backed schemes for first time and lower income buyers are also worth checking, particularly if your issue is a thin or missing credit history rather than an actively poor one.Factors That Influence Your CIBIL Score for a Home LoanA few things carry most of the weight. Repayment history matters the most by a wide margin, since late EMIs, missed card payments, and defaults hit the score harder than almost anything else.Credit utilisation is next. Using more than 30 percent of your available limit on a regular basis reads as financial strain to the scoring model, even if you're paying it off every month.Then there's credit mix. A balance of secured loans like a car or home loan alongside unsecured credit such as cards tends to look healthier than relying on just one type.Length of credit history plays a quieter role too. Older accounts that have been managed well add stability over time, which is part of why closing an old card can actually hurt more than help.Lastly, a burst of recent credit enquiries, applying for several loans or cards in a short window, tends to pull the score down for a while, since it reads as someone actively chasing credit.How to Improve Your CIBIL Score for a Home Loan FastIf your score needs work, the following steps tend to show results within a few months rather than years.Pay every EMI and card bill on time. Auto debit helps if due dates slip your mind. This one habit has the single biggest impact.Keep card usage under 30 percent of your limit. If you're regularly close to the max, either pay it down faster or ask for a limit increase without spending more.Don't apply for several loans or cards back to back. Each hard enquiry dents the score a little, and a cluster of them compounds that effect.Leave old credit cards open. A longer credit history generally helps, even on a card you barely use.Pay down existing debt, particularly high interest credit card balances, before you apply.Go through your report line by line and dispute anything wrong. Fixing a wrongly reported default is often the fastest single fix available.Most borrowers who stay disciplined for 6 to 12 months see a borderline score move into a comfortably approvable range.What is a Good CIBIL Score for a Home Loan?A score of 750 or above is generally treated as the best CIBIL score for a home loan. At that level, most lenders open up their lowest rates, quicker approvals, and higher loan amounts.A score between 700 and 749 is still good and gets approved at most banks, just with slightly less room to negotiate. Between 650 and 699, a loan is workable, but expect to pay a bit more in interest for it.What Are the Benefits of a Good CIBIL Score for Home Loans?A strong score works in your favour in more ways than most people realise:Lower interest rates, which save a meaningful amount over a long tenureHigher loan eligibility and sanctioned amountFaster approval with less back and forth on documentationReal leverage to negotiate processing fees and termsA wider set of lenders willing to compete for your applicationSmoother approval later on, whether that's a top up loan or a new credit cardMistakes Which Can Spoil Your Credit ScoreA few habits quietly do the most damage, even to people who think of themselves as financially careful:Paying EMIs or card bills a few days late, even occasionallyRunning credit cards close to their limit month after monthSettling a loan instead of closing it in full. A "settled" tag reads worse than a properly closed accountApplying for multiple loans or cards within a short stretchStanding as a guarantor and losing track of whether that person is actually repayingNever checking your own credit report for errors or fraudulent entriesClosing your oldest credit card, which shortens your average credit history overnightFrequently Asked QuestionsWhat is a good CIBIL score for a home loan?750 or above is considered excellent and usually unlocks the best interest rates. 700 to 749 is good and generally enough for approval at most banks.What is the minimum CIBIL score required for a home loan?Most banks and NBFCs look for a minimum of around 700. Some lenders will still approve scores as low as 650, typically at a higher interest rate.Can I get a home loan with a CIBIL score below 650?It's difficult but not out of reach. A strong income, a co-applicant with a healthier score, a larger down payment, or an NBFC with more flexible criteria can all improve your odds.How can I improve my CIBIL score quickly before applying for a home loan?Pay every EMI and card bill on time, keep utilisation under 30 percent, avoid new credit applications, and check your report for errors. Real improvement usually takes a few months of consistent repayment, not weeks.Does CIBIL score affect the home loan interest rate?Yes. A higher score generally means a lower rate, since lenders view you as lower risk. A weaker score can add a noticeable premium.Is CIBIL score mandatory for a home loan in India?The RBI doesn't mandate a specific score, and first time borrowers with no credit history can still be judged on income and employment. In practice though, almost every lender checks the CIBIL score as a routine part of underwriting.How is CIBIL score calculated?It's built from repayment history, credit utilisation, length of credit history, credit mix, and recent credit enquiries, with repayment history carrying the most weight by far.This article reflects typical home loan lending practice in India as of 2026 and is meant for general information. Actual eligibility criteria, minimum CIBIL score requirements, and interest rates differ by lender and change over time, so always confirm current terms with your bank or housing finance company directly. For regulatory context on credit information companies, refer to the Reserve Bank of India.Planning to buy a home in Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar? Once your CIBIL score and home loan are sorted, the next step is finding the right property. Explore verified residential projects, compare floor plans, and get local guidance at Savitar Realty.
09 Jul 2026
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Quick Summary: The most important Vastu tips for a new home are — keep the main entrance in the north, east, or north-east; place the kitchen in the south-east with the stove facing east; keep the master bedroom in the south-west with the bed's head pointing south or east; put the pooja room in the north-east; and leave the north-east corner of the plot light, open, and clutter-free. Get these five zones right, and most of the rest of the house falls into place naturally.Buying or building a new home is one of the biggest decisions a family makes, and in most Indian households, Vastu Shastra is part of that decision from day one. Whether you're finalising a plot, reviewing a builder's floor plan, or simply rearranging furniture in a flat you've already booked, knowing the basic vastu tips for home design can save you from avoidable stress later.This guide walks through vastu shastra tips for every major room, covers site selection, and answers the questions most new homebuyers actually search for — in plain language, without the jargon.Why Vastu Tips Matter for a New HomeVastu Shastra is the ancient Indian science of architecture and spatial design. It links every direction to a natural element — earth, water, fire, air, and space — and to a specific form of energy. The idea is simple: a home designed in harmony with these directions supports better health, stronger relationships, and steady prosperity for the people living in it.There's also a practical layer underneath the tradition. Many vastu shastra tips for home line up neatly with good architecture — kitchens that catch morning light and ventilation, bedrooms placed away from street noise, and entrances that aren't blocked by clutter. That overlap is part of why these principles have stayed relevant for so long, and why Vastu Shastra continues to appear in Indian architectural discourse today, as documented on Wikipedia's overview of Vastu Shastra.Vastu Tips for Site Selection and Water ResourcesBefore construction begins, the plot itself matters as much as the building on it.Plot shape: Square or rectangular plots are considered the most balanced. Avoid highly irregular or triangular plots where possible.Slope: A plot that slopes from south to north, or from south-west to north-east, is considered favourable, since it allows water to naturally drain toward the north-east.Surrounding roads: A plot with roads on the north or east side is generally preferred over one boxed in only by south or west roads.Water resources: Underground water tanks, borewells, and overhead water resources should ideally sit in the north-east or north direction of the plot. Avoid placing them in the south-west, which is meant to stay heavy and grounded rather than water-linked.Avoid low-lying or waterlogged plots, and steer clear of land near cremation grounds, active industrial waste sites, or T-junctions where a road runs directly into the plot.Vastu Tips for Home Entrance and Main DoorThe main entrance is where energy first enters the home, which is why it gets more attention in Vastu than almost any other feature.The north-east, north, or east are the most auspicious directions for a main door.Keep the entrance well-lit, clean, and free of shoe racks, dustbins, or overflowing clutter.A south-west facing entrance is the least preferred; if that's your only option, remedies like a Ganesha idol facing outward above the door and a copper strip at the threshold are commonly used.Avoid a mirror placed directly opposite the main door, as it's believed to push incoming energy back out.For a deeper breakdown of door placement, padas, and remedies by direction, see our detailed guide on Vastu for Home Entrance.Vastu Tips for the Living RoomThe living room is where guests are welcomed, so its placement affects both first impressions and household energy.Best zones: north, north-east, or east — ideally just inside and near the main entrance.Keep heavy furniture like sofas and cabinets along the south or west walls, with open space toward the north-east.Seat the head of the household or guests facing east or north while entertaining.Avoid clutter, broken furniture, and dead plants in this space — they're considered to stagnate energy.Vastu Tips for the Master BedroomThe south-west corner of the home is considered the ideal zone for the master bedroom, since it's associated with stability and grounding.Place the bed against a solid wall, with the head pointing south or east while sleeping — never north.Avoid a mirror directly facing the bed, and keep the space under the bed clutter-free.Keep the bedroom mainly for rest; avoid a work desk or television directly facing the bed.Our detailed guide on Sleeping Direction as per Vastu covers head-direction rules for couples, children, and what science says about the tradition.Vastu Tips for KitchenThe kitchen is governed by fire (Agni), so its direction matters more than almost any other room besides the entrance.ElementIdeal DirectionSecond-BestKitchen locationSouth-EastNorth-WestStove/burnerSouth-East corner, facing east while cooking—SinkNorth-EastNorth or EastRefrigeratorSouth-West—Avoid placing the kitchen in the north-east, directly opposite the main entrance, or with the stove and sink sharing a wall without at least 3–4 feet of separation.For the complete direction chart, defects, and remedies, read Vastu Position for Kitchen.Vastu Tips for Mandir / Pooja Room in a FlatFor most homebuyers, the pooja room is a non-negotiable part of vastu shastra tips for pooja room planning.The north-east (Ishan Kon) is the most auspicious zone for a pooja room, regardless of which direction your flat or house faces.Place idols so the person praying faces east or west.Avoid positioning the mandir below a staircase, against a shared bathroom wall, or inside the bedroom.In a compact flat where a full room isn't possible, even a small, clean, well-lit north-east corner or wall-mounted unit works within Vastu guidelines.Vastu Tips for Study RoomIdeal zones: north-east, east, or north — directions linked to clarity, focus, and knowledge.Face east or north while studying or working, rather than south.Keep bookshelves along the south or west walls, and avoid a study table directly under a ceiling beam.Good natural light and minimal clutter matter as much here as directional placement.Vastu Tips for Toilets and BathroomsBest zones: north-west or west.Strictly avoid placing toilets in the north-east or in the centre (Brahmasthan) of the house.Keep the bathroom door closed when not in use, and ensure strong ventilation.A toilet should never share a wall directly with the pooja room.Vastu Tips for BalconiesBalconies work best in the north, east, or north-east, where they can bring in morning light and fresh air.Avoid overcrowding balconies with heavy furniture, water tanks, or storage — this zone is meant to stay open.A few small plants (avoid thorny varieties) in the north-east balcony are considered to support positive energy in home spaces.Vastu Tips Based on House Facing DirectionEast-Facing House Vastu TipsEast-facing homes align with the rising sun and are considered strongly auspicious for health and new beginnings, provided the main door falls in the correct pada of the eastern wall and isn't blocked by a boundary wall or tree.North-Facing House Vastu TipsNorth is governed by Kuber, the deity of wealth, making a north-facing home popular with business owners and professionals. The entrance should avoid the extreme corners of the north wall.West-Facing House Vastu TipsWest-facing homes are neither inauspicious nor second-best — they simply follow their own pada rules. Our complete guide on Vastu Tips for West-Facing House covers entrance placement, room-by-room zoning, and colour recommendations in detail.Top 10 Vastu Tips for Home (Quick Checklist)Keep the main entrance in the north, east, or north-east.Reserve the north-east corner for the pooja room, and keep it clutter-free.Place the kitchen in the south-east with the stove facing east.Set the master bedroom in the south-west with the bed's head pointing south or east.Keep toilets in the north-west, never in the north-east.Position the living room near the entrance, in the north or north-east.Avoid heavy construction or storage in the exact centre (Brahmasthan) of the home.Keep water resources — tanks, borewells — in the north or north-east.Maintain good ventilation and natural light throughout, especially in the kitchen and entrance.Keep the home clutter-free — in Vastu, clutter is treated the same as blocked energy.Vastu Direction Chart for a New HomeRoomIdeal DirectionAvoidMain EntranceNorth, East, North-EastSouth-WestLiving RoomNorth, North-EastSouth-WestMaster BedroomSouth-WestNorth-EastKitchenSouth-EastNorth-EastPooja RoomNorth-EastBelow staircase, near bathroomStudy RoomNorth-East, EastSouthToilet/BathroomNorth-West, WestNorth-East, CentreStaircaseSouth, South-West, WestNorth-EastBalconyNorth, East, North-East—A Practical PerspectiveVastu Shastra works best as a framework, not a rulebook you have to follow to the letter. Ready-built flats, fixed floor plans, and budget constraints mean that a "perfect" Vastu layout isn't always possible — and that's fine. Focus on the zones that matter most: the entrance, the kitchen, the master bedroom, and the pooja room. For everything else, simple remedies — colour, cleanliness, and correct furniture placement — go a long way toward keeping your new home Vastu-compliant without a major redesign.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are the most important vastu tips for a new home? Focus on four zones first: the main entrance (north, east, or north-east), the kitchen (south-east with the stove facing east), the master bedroom (south-west with the head pointing south or east while sleeping), and the pooja room (north-east).What is the best direction to face while entering a new home? The north, east, and north-east are considered the most auspicious directions for a main entrance in Vastu Shastra.Is an east-facing house better than a north-facing house? Both are considered highly auspicious. East-facing homes are linked to health and new beginnings, while north-facing homes are linked to wealth and career growth. Neither is inherently superior — correct entrance placement matters more than the facing itself.Where should the pooja room be placed in a new home? The north-east corner of the home is the ideal location for a pooja room or mandir, regardless of which direction the house faces.Can a west-facing house be Vastu-compliant? Yes. A west-facing house is fully auspicious as long as the main door sits in the correct pada of the western wall and the interior rooms follow standard Vastu zoning.What Vastu tips apply to a flat, not just an independent house? In a flat, focus on what you can control: the pooja room corner, sleeping direction, cooking direction, and keeping the north-east and entrance clutter-free. Structural elements like the building's overall facing matter less than internal placement.Which direction should be avoided for a toilet in a new home? The north-east and the exact centre of the home should be avoided for toilets and bathrooms. The north-west or west are the preferred zones.Do Vastu tips affect property value or resale? Many Indian homebuyers factor Vastu compliance into their buying decision, so a Vastu-friendly layout can support resale demand and pricing in markets like Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, even though it isn't the only factor buyers consider.Looking for a Vastu-friendly new home? Whether you're buying your first flat, upgrading to a larger house, or evaluating a plot for construction, layout and direction make a real difference to daily life. Explore verified residential projects and get expert local guidance at Savitar Realty.Disclaimer: This article explains Vastu Shastra beliefs for informational purposes. Vastu is a traditional practice and not a substitute for structural, legal, or financial advice. Always verify RERA registration and consult a qualified architect or Vastu consultant before making construction decisions.
06 Jul 2026
258 views
