

Grade-A office spaces in a sweet spot, but risks loom
Grade-A office spaces are seeing faster absorption buoyed by favourable demand-supply dynamics, thus pushing vacancies lower. All-India (aggregate of top-seven cities) vacancy levels in the December quarter (Q3FY26) declined further to 12.3% from 12.7% in Q2 and 13.9% in Q3FY25, showed Propstack data compiled by Kotak Institutional Equities.Global capability centres (GCCs) and flexible-space operators continue to dominate demand.
Once a heavyweight, the share of information technology (IT) sector in the leased area has fallen to around 30% from 43-45% three years ago.Amid worries of AI-led disruption to traditional IT business models, a likely reduction in hiring by IT firms could drag the sector’s leasing share lower. Fortunately, GGCs are holding the fort, setting off the adverse impact.ICICI Securities estimates pan-India Grade-A net absorption of 55 million square feet (msf) in 2026, 58 msf in 2027 and 61msf in 2028, with over 50% of this demand to be driven by GCCs.
Net absorption is the total occupied square feet minus vacant area during a specific period. Most of the five listed Reits are already above 90% committed occupancy with targets to further improve to 93-94% by FY26-end.
Committed occupancy rate includes properties where leases have already been signed with tenants, but are yet to commence.Steady improvement in occupancy levels means better rental growth and distribution per unit (DPU). DPU is the total income (such as rental income or dividends) a Reit distributes to its investors per unit held.Listed Reits delivered 8–15% year-on-year DPU growth in FY25, said ICICI; it expects double-digit DPU growth in FY26 for its coverage universe, with distribution yields at 6–7% over FY26–27.Higher occupancy means
. Read on livemint.com