Deepak earns ₹80,000/month. He wants to invest in real estate — but a flat costs ₹70 lakhs. Then his colleague mentioned REITs. "You can literally buy a piece of Embassy Tech Village for ₹500," she said. He laughed. Then he checked. She was right.
Google searches for "real estate investment trust" in India jumped +120% in the last week of May 2026. Here's what you need to know.
What Is a REIT?
A Real Estate Investment Trust owns income-generating real estate — Grade A offices, malls, warehouses. Listed on stock exchange. SEBI-regulated. Must distribute 90% of income as dividends. You earn rent without being a landlord.
India's 3 Listed REITs
| REIT | Portfolio | Unit Price | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embassy Office Parks | 33.4 mn sqft — Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, NCR | ₹320–380 | ~6–7% |
| Mindspace Business Parks | 32.7 mn sqft — Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai | ₹280–340 | ~6–7% |
| Brookfield India REIT | 18.7 mn sqft — NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru | ₹240–300 | ~7–8% |
Verify current prices on NSE/BSE before investing.
REITs vs Physical Property
REITs win on: Liquidity (sell anytime), diversification, no maintenance, low entry (₹300–500), quarterly income.
Physical property wins on: Leverage via home loans, full control, potentially higher absolute returns in high-growth areas.
"REITs democratise real estate investing. For the first time, a salaried professional can own a piece of Embassy Tech Village and earn rent every quarter." — ANAROCK Research, 2025
How to Buy a REIT in India
Open a demat account (Zerodha, Groww, Angel One), search the REIT ticker on NSE/BSE — EMBASSY, MINDSPACE, or BIRET — and place a buy order. Minimum 1 unit.
Tax on REITs
Dividend income: taxed at your slab rate. Capital gains on sale: 20% long-term (3+ years), 15% short-term. Interest income: taxable at slab. Consult a CA for your situation.
FAQs
Are Indian REITs safe?
SEBI-regulated, Grade A tenants (Google, Microsoft, Infosys), mandatory 90% distribution. Stable but carry market risk like all listed securities.
Can REITs beat FD returns?
REIT yields of 6–8% typically beat FD rates (6.5–7.5%), plus capital appreciation potential. But REITs carry higher risk than FDs.
Prefer physical property? Browse 24,050+ listings on EstateSahi →
