India: housing

Are house prices rising in India?

The all-India House Price Index rose 3.6% year on year in April to June 2026 (Q1 2026-27), the same rate as a year earlier, according to the Reserve Bank of India, released on 24 August 2026. The index rose 1.1% on the previous quarter to 117.5, mainly because of increases in cities such as Chandigarh, Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram.

The RBI index uses transaction-level data from property registration authorities in 18 major cities, with a 2022-23 base year. The new base and wider city coverage mean it is not directly comparable with the older ten-city index. It covers registered sale prices, which can differ from asking prices.

Official sources: RBI: All-India House Price Index for Q1 2026-27

How many houses have been built under PMAY-Urban?

99.25 lakh houses had been completed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) as of 12 August 2026, according to a Press Information Bureau factsheet. The factsheet says around 96% of houses under PMAY-U 2.0 are allotted to women.

PMAY-U provides central assistance to states for urban housing for poorer households, through beneficiary-led construction, affordable housing projects and interest subsidies. A house counts as completed once construction finishes, which can be some time after it is sanctioned. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs dashboard gives figures by state.

Official sources: PIB factsheet: infrastructure and housing

How many houses have been built under PMAY-Gramin?

3.13 crore houses had been completed under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) as of 12 August 2026, out of 3.91 crore sanctioned, according to a Press Information Bureau factsheet drawing on Ministry of Rural Development data.

PMAY-G gives financial help to rural households without a pucca (permanent) house, or living in a kutcha or damaged one, to build a house. Beneficiaries are chosen using the Socio Economic and Caste Census and later surveys. Progress by state and district is published on the PMAY-G dashboard, which the factsheet links.

Official sources: PIB factsheet: rural development

How many homeless people are there in India?

17,73,040 people were houseless in India at the 2011 Census, 9,38,348 in urban areas and 8,34,692 in rural areas, according to a reply to Parliament by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs published by the Press Information Bureau.

The census counts as houseless those who do not live in a building or census house, such as people sleeping on pavements, under flyovers or in the open. It is the latest official national count, because the next census had not been published. Because counting people without a fixed address is hard, the figure is generally treated as a minimum. Shelters for the urban homeless are funded under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission.

Official sources: PIB: Parliament reply on houseless people

What is the housing shortage in India?

The urban housing shortage at the start of the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) was estimated at 18.78 million homes, according to a Technical Group set up by the then Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. Most of the shortage was households living in congested homes, with smaller numbers in obsolete or unacceptable homes and houseless households.

This is the most recent national estimate of the urban shortage published by the ministry, and it predates the housing built since under PMAY. The government now sets PMAY-Urban targets from demand assessments made by states and union territories, rather than a single national shortage figure.

Official sources: PIB: Urban Housing Shortage (2012-17) report

What share of India is urban?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people living in urban areas in India was 35.7% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. South Asia median: 39.1%; India is 4th highest of 6. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 159th highest.

How common are informal settlements in India?

The latest figure from UN-Habitat, for 2019, is 5.4%.

How many people in India have electricity?

In 2024, the share of people with access to electricity in India was 99.9%, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across South Asia the middle value was 100.0%, and India placed 4th highest of 6. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 101st highest.

How many people in India have clean water?

In 2024, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in India was 76.4%, according to WHO and UNICEF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. South Asia median: 59.1%; India is 1st highest of 5. World rank, highest first: 66th of 134.

How many people in India have a safe toilet?

In 2024, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in India was 62.8%, according to WHO and UNICEF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Worldwide: 64th of 134.

What is access to clean cooking in India?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2024, is 81.0%. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 3rd highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 63.0%. Worldwide: 119th of 192.