New Delhi, November 22, 2025: The Bharat InvITs Association (BIA) and the Indian REITs Association (IRA) jointly organised the inaugural National Conclave on InvITs & REITs 2025, marking a landmark moment for India’s rapidly expanding alternative investment landscape. Designed as a collaborative forum bringing together regulators, policymakers, institutional investors, industry leaders, and market influencers, the conclave set the stage for an in-depth dialogue on unlocking the next phase of growth for both InvITs (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) and REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) in India.
A Milestone Event for India’s Capital Market Evolution
The conclave witnessed the participation of over 250 delegates, representing a diverse mix of stakeholders from infrastructure and real estate companies, global and domestic investment managers, pension funds, private equity and venture capital firms, investment banks, consulting organisations, legal and tax advisors, policy think tanks, media representatives, and leading technology solution providers.
The strong turnout reflected the growing recognition of InvITs and REITs as transformative capital-market instruments that are increasingly central to India’s infrastructure development and real estate monetisation strategies.
The high-profile event brought together several influential voices who are shaping the country’s financial and developmental agenda. Key speakers included:
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Shri Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairperson, SEBI
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Shri Praveen Pardeshi, Chief Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra & CEO, Maharashtra Institute of Transformation
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Mr. Amitabh Kant, Former G20 Sherpa and Former CEO, NITI Aayog
Senior officials from the Ministry of Finance (MoF), SEBI, NHAI, RBI, and IRDAI also attended, underscoring the strategic relevance of InvITs and REITs in India’s long-term policy framework.
As SEBI-regulated structures, these instruments have steadily gained credibility as transparent, governance-driven platforms for channelling large-scale capital into India’s infrastructure and real estate sectors.
Shaping the Dialogue: Key Themes and Policy Conversations
Throughout the day, panel discussions and fireside chats explored the evolving contours of the InvIT and REIT ecosystem. The sessions touched upon several critical themes:
1. Regulatory Progress and Reform Pathways
Participants highlighted the progressive role that SEBI and other policy bodies have played in creating an enabling regulatory environment. These reforms have strengthened disclosure standards, introduced better governance practices, and increased investor protection—key elements that have deepened confidence among domestic and international investors.
2. Infrastructure Monetisation & Capital Formation
Government representatives and industry leaders discussed how InvITs have become central to India’s infrastructure monetisation agenda. The model allows public authorities and private concessionaires to unlock capital tied up in operational assets, enabling reinvestment into new infrastructure projects.
3. Growth of REITs and Mainstreaming of Grade A Real Estate
India’s REIT ecosystem—comprising office parks, retail centres, and soon-to-emerge warehousing and hospitality portfolios—has demonstrated how high-quality commercial real estate can be democratised through structured investment vehicles.
4. Retail Participation & Market Liquidity
While institutional investors dominate the current landscape, discussions emphasised the need to enhance retail awareness, promote financial literacy, and build liquidity in secondary markets to ensure broader, more inclusive participation.
5. Technology, Transparency & Governance
Experts explored how digital platforms, analytics, and improved reporting mechanisms can further strengthen trust, improve efficiency, and streamline compliance within the InvIT and REIT sectors.
Industry Leaders Share Insights on Growth, Potential & Policy Direction
InvITs: From Niche Instruments to Mainstream Infrastructure Funders
Reflecting on the success of the conclave, Mr. N.S. Venkatesh, CEO, Bharat InvITs Association, emphasised the remarkable evolution of InvITs in India.
He noted that InvITs have transitioned from being relatively unknown financial structures to emerging as one of the most dynamic channels of infrastructure financing.
“InvITs have evolved from being a niche investment product to becoming one of the most dynamic instruments driving India’s infrastructure financing landscape,” he stated.
Mr. Venkatesh highlighted SEBI’s sustained efforts in refining regulatory frameworks—especially in areas of disclosures, governance, and investor protection—which have played a key role in attracting both domestic and global capital.
He further added that government support through enabling policies is paving the way for stronger convergence of public and private capital, particularly across sectors such as roads, renewable energy, power transmission, gas pipelines, and urban utilities.
The Bharat InvITs Association estimates that the InvIT industry could triple in size, scaling from the current ₹7 lakh crore AUM to ₹21 lakh crore by 2030, driven by greater participation from retail investors and increasing adoption by state authorities and public utilities.
SEBI’s Vision for Strengthened Market Access & Investor Trust
In a detailed address, Shri Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairperson, SEBI, shared an in-depth overview of the sector’s growth trajectory and future roadmap.
He highlighted the colossal scale of India’s infrastructure ambitions, stating that the country will require over ₹700 trillion in investment by 2047 across transportation networks, logistics, energy systems, and urban development.
“Instruments such as REITs and InvITs are now playing a decisive role in bridging this capital gap,” he remarked.
According to SEBI data, the combined size of REITs and InvITs has expanded to ₹9.25 trillion as of October 2025, demonstrating strong traction across sectors—including roads, power transmission, renewable energy, telecom infrastructure, and commercial real estate.
However, Mr. Pandey also emphasised the need to increase awareness and accessibility.
Retail awareness stands at just 10%, with actual participation below 1%—a sign that significant potential remains untapped. As a result, SEBI is prioritising:
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Strengthening liquidity frameworks
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Simplifying retail participation pathways
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Elevating governance and disclosure standards
These steps, he noted, will be crucial to broadening adoption and ensuring long-term trust.
REITs: Scaling New Heights in Urban Development
Speaking on behalf of the Indian REITs Association, Mr. Alok Agarwal, Chairperson, IRA, highlighted the impressive scale that India’s REIT ecosystem has achieved in a relatively short period.
He noted that India’s REIT platform has rapidly evolved from a conceptual model to one of the most transparent and reliable long-term investment avenues accessible to both institutional and retail investors.
“With over 176 million sq. ft. of Grade A commercial real estate and more than 3.3 lakh unitholders, REITs have become engines of urban transformation, job creation and capital formation,” he said.
He added that as India continues to expand its commercial real estate footprint, REITs will play an increasingly significant role in shaping the country’s urban growth story.
A Platform for Knowledge Exchange, Policy Convergence & Collaborative Growth
The National Conclave on InvITs & REITs 2025 proved to be an essential platform for industry-wide engagement, policy dialogue, and strategic alignment. By bringing together key stakeholders across the value chain, the event contributed meaningfully to:
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Deepening understanding of investment trust structures
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Identifying regulatory and market priorities
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Promoting best practices in governance and disclosure
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Strengthening investor confidence
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Encouraging long-term, asset-backed investment across sectors
The conclave underscored the shared commitment of regulators, industry associations, and market participants toward expanding India’s alternative investment ecosystem and enabling the country’s journey toward sustainable, asset-led economic growth.
About Bharat InvITs Association (BIA)
Bharat InvITs Association is India’s leading non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and advancing the Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) sector. Established under SEBI’s guidance, BIA works towards strengthening governance frameworks, fostering investor awareness, and supporting policy advocacy to grow India’s infrastructure financing ecosystem. With 23 member organisations across roads, power transmission, energy, telecom, optical fibre, pipelines, and warehousing, BIA serves as a unified voice for the sector.
Website: bharatinvitsassociation.com
About Indian REITs Association (IRA)
Founded in 2023 under SEBI’s guidance, the Indian REITs Association is a non-profit trade body committed to strengthening the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) ecosystem in India. The association focuses on establishing global-standard best practices, enhancing transparency, and supporting the expansion of the REIT sector. Its founding members include Brookfield India Real Estate Trust, Embassy Office Parks REIT, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, and Nexus Select Trust.
Website: indianreitsassociation.com
