Realty Check

The 2026 Forbes World's Billionaires List has 13 real estate barons from India

- By SARTHAK CHOUDHURY

The Indian real estate market has seen a rise in deal activity in Q1CY26, although the deal value has gone down. According to a report by Grant Thornton Bharat in April, the total deal volume increased to 32 transactions in the quarter, up from 28 in the same period last year. However, the total deal value dropped sharply to $763 million, from $3 billion in the corresponding period last year, mainly due to geopolitical uncertainties.

There are 13 real estate billionaires from India in the Forbes World Billionaires List 2026, the same as last year. Kushal Pal Singh of DLF tops the list with $12.7 billion, down from $14.5 billion in 2025. Mangal Prabhat Lodha, founder of the Lodha Group, is next with a net worth of $6.1 billion, down from $9.5 billion.