India Records Highest Ever Office Leasing in First Half of 2026

India’s office leasing reached a record high in the first half of 2026, with companies leasing more than 45 million sq ft of office space between January and June. This marked a 9.6 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

The figures were released by global property consultant CBRE, which said multinational companies continue to expand their operations in India despite ongoing global economic uncertainty.

Most of the demand came from Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which accounted for 43 per cent of total office leasing during the first half of 2026. The number of GCC leasing transactions also increased by 30 per cent year on year.

GCCs were responsible for 53 per cent of all office leasing deals larger than 100,000 sq ft, further strengthening India’s position as a preferred destination for technology, engineering and business support centres.

According to CBRE, companies continue to invest in India because of its skilled workforce, competitive operating costs and high quality office spaces. Industry estimates suggest that India could have more than 2,100 GCCs by the end of the 2026 financial year.

Fortune 500 companies leased around 6.8 million sq ft of office space during the second quarter of 2026, accounting for 28 per cent of total office leasing during the quarter.

The number of Fortune 500 leasing transactions increased by 34 per cent compared with the previous quarter. India Ratings and Research stated that tensions in the Middle East are unlikely to have a significant impact on office demand. However, higher crude oil prices and currency volatility could delay some investments.

CBRE expects office demand to remain strong throughout the rest of 2026 as India’s flexible workspace market continues to grow rapidly. Many companies are adopting a core plus flex strategy, combining traditional office space with flexible workspaces.

This approach enables businesses to expand while reducing costs and managing operational risks.

With sustained demand from multinational companies and Global Capability Centres, India’s commercial office market is expected to maintain strong growth in the coming months.