According to real estate consultancy JLL India, the total gross leasing of office spaces saw an 8% increase, reaching a record high of 83.3 million square feet last year in these seven cities, up from 77.2 million square feet the previous year.
The seven cities included are — Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.
Of the overall leasing activity, global firms rented 48.6 million square feet of office space last year, making up 58% of the total office demand.
“With global firms representing a solid 58.4% share, India’s status as a vital business hub providing genuine structural advantages was reinforced during a time characterized by global uncertainties,” stated the consultancy.
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The availability of skilled, English-speaking talent and the supply of premium office spaces at competitive rental rates are key factors attracting global firms to India.
As anticipated, these global entities leased 31.4 million square feet for the establishment of Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
Domestic companies accounted for 34.7 million square feet of office space, contributing 42% of the total workspace demand, according to the consultancy.
“GCCs have emerged as a significant force in India’s office leasing landscape in 2025,” remarked Rahul Arora, Head – Office Leasing & Retail Services, Senior Managing Director (Karnataka, Kerala), India, JLL.
Bengaluru remains the top choice for foreign firms looking to expand their businesses.
Last year, operators of coworking centers were also active in the office leasing sector, responding to the growing demand for managed office environments.
JLL clarified that gross leasing encompasses all lease transactions recorded during the period, including confirmed pre-commitments but excluding term renewals.
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In response to the report, Shesh Rao Paplikar, Founder & CEO of BHIVE Workspace, commented, “Today, GCCs are seeking not just desks but future-ready workplace ecosystems that align with global sustainability standards, talent expectations, and operational flexibility.” Aashit Verma, Founder of Hanto Workspace, added that the rising office leasing activity in India, especially in the flexible workspaces sector, serves as a strong indicator of the country’s economic progress.
“This increase in demand is fundamentally driven by a robust talent pool, the availability of high-quality Grade A spaces, and a strategic cost advantage,” Verma noted.
