GST Rationalisation Sparks Real Estate Ahead of Festival Season

Deepak Kumar Jain, Founder and CEO of TaxManager.in, said, “Real estate, being one of the most labour-intensive sectors, is expected to gain significantly from the reduction of GST rates—from 28 percent to 18 percent—on key construction materials such as cement, tiles, and other inputs. This move will help lower overall construction costs to some extent. It is also expected that developers will pass on these benefits to homebuyers by reducing property prices, which have risen sharply over the past few years.”

Aashit Verma, Founder of Hanto Workspace - "The GST Council’s decision to reduce tax rates on critical building materials including cement and marble, granite, sand-lime bricks is a game-changer for construction economics.

On the commercial side, rationalisation will reduce capex load, which can accelerate the pace of Grade-A office, retail, and hospitality developments. Importantly, this GST slash will help expedite project deliveries by nearly 30 percent, giving the sector a much-needed push at a time when speed to market is critical.

For workspace developers, this creates a unique opportunity to expand strategically and deliver quality workspaces to clients."

Ashish Kukreja, CEO and Founder of Homesfy.in and mymagnet.io

"GST 2.0 is not just an incremental reform but a structural reset for Indian real estate. The shift to a broad two-slab structure of 5 percent and 18 percent, along with a 40 percent demerit rate, signals the government’s intent to simplify and strengthen an eight-year-old tax regime. For our sector, the rationalisation of rates on key construction materials like cement and steel from 28 percent to 18 percent, and granite blocks and sand-lime bricks from 12 percent to 5 percent, directly translates into lower project costs and more affordable homes.

Real estate already employs over 7 crore Indians, making it the country’s second-largest employer. These reforms will encourage developers to launch more projects, creating new jobs and improving buyer sentiment. Importantly, a simpler, more transparent GST framework can help resolve long-standing challenges around input tax credits and compliance, while also attracting institutional capital into emerging segments such as affordable housing, co-living, and rental housing.

There will naturally be transitional issues in adapting to the new framework, but the overall direction is positive. GST 2.0 gives buyers affordability, developers confidence, and the sector a foundation of trust, and that combination is vital for the next phase of growth in Indian housing.”

Aniruddha Mehta, Chairman & Managing Director, Umiya Buildcon Ltd

"The rationalisation of GST under the proposed reforms marks a landmark moment for the real estate and construction industry. Simplifying tax slabs on key inputs like cement, steel, and paints will reduce pricing inefficiencies, improve procurement processes, and ease cash flow challenges — all of which are crucial for sustainable project execution. Even a modest reduction in input costs can significantly enhance project viability and timelines, particularly in affordable and mid-income housing where pricing sensitivity is high.

Beyond cost savings, GST 2.0 has the potential to catalyse growth and job creation across the broader ecosystem. As one of the country’s largest employment generators, real estate stands to benefit from improved liquidity and reinvestment opportunities, leading to more jobs in construction, allied industries, and services.

Moreover, a simplified and transparent tax regime instills greater confidence among both homebuyers and long-term investors. It can drive capital inflows, support sustainable building practices, and ultimately contribute to India’s housing and infrastructure goals. That said, clarity on transitional provisions and tax credit flow will be essential to ensure a smooth shift and protect near-term working capital cycles."