NEW DELHI: Equity investments in India’s real estate sector jumped 48 per cent year-on-year to $3.8 billion in the July-September period (Q3), a report said on Friday. This growth in inflow was primarily fuelled by capital deployment into land or development sites and built-up office and retail assets, according to the report by real estate consulting firm CBRE South Asia.

In the first nine months of 2025, the equity investments increased by 14 per cent on-year to $10.2 billion — from $8.9 billion in the same period last year.

The report highlighted that land or development sites and built-up office and retail assets accounted for more than 90 per cent of the total capital inflows during Q3 2025.

On the category of investors, developers remained the primary drivers of capital deployment, contributing 45 per cent of the total equity inflows, followed by Institutional investors with a 33 per cent share.

CBRE reported that Mumbai attracted the highest investments at 32 per cent, followed by Pune at around 18 per cent and Bengaluru at nearly 16 per cent.

Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO – India, South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa, CBRE, said that the healthy inflow of domestic capital demonstrates the sector’s resilience and depth.

“In the upcoming quarters, greenfield developments are likely to continue witnessing a robust momentum, with a healthy spread across residential, office, mixed-use, data centres, and I&L sectors,” he added.

In addition to global institutional investors, Indian sponsors accounted for a significant part of the total inflows.

“India’s ability to combine strong domestic capital with global institutional participation will remain a key differentiator in 2026 and beyond,” added Gaurav Kumar, Managing Director, Capital Markets and Land, CBRE India.

CBRE forecasts a strong finish for the investment activity in 2025, fuelled by capital deployment into built-up office and retail assets.

For the office sector, the limited availability of investible core assets for acquisition indicate that opportunistic bets are likely to continue gaining traction, the report noted.

EY and Microsoft on Saturday launched the AI Skills Passport, a free online learning initiative aimed at equipping Indian students and early-career professionals with essential artificial intelligence (AI) skills. The program targets individuals aged 16 and above and is designed to bridge the country’s growing AI skills gap, according to an EY statement, ANI reported.Part of a global effort that has already engaged over 40,000 participants worldwide, the AI Skills Passport offers self-paced learning modules spanning around 10 hours, available in both English and Hindi. The curriculum covers AI fundamentals, responsible AI, and practical applications across sectors including healthcare, finance, and technology. Participants also receive guidance on job readiness, including resume tips, interview support, and networking insights.Learners who complete the program are awarded a verifiable digital badge, enhancing their professional profiles. The initiative is part of EY Ripples, EY’s global corporate responsibility programme, and will partner with not-for-profit organisations to ensure students from economically weaker backgrounds have access to mentorship, learning, and career guidance.Monesh Dange, Partner and Leader, Alliances and Ecosystems, EY India, said, “In an era where AI is revolutionising work, the AI Skills Passport addresses India’s urgent need for skilled talent. Together with Microsoft, we aim to ensure the program is accessible and impactful at scale.”Bhaskar Basu, Enterprise Partnerships Leader, Microsoft India & South Asia, added, “AI is transforming India’s digital economy, and youth are at its core. The AI Skills Passport brings high-quality AI learning to everyone, accelerating Microsoft’s goal to equip 10 million Indians with AI skills by 2030.”

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav is set to travel to Brasília on October 13-14 for a pre-COP meeting as India steps up preparations for the UN climate summit COP30, scheduled in Belém, Brazil, in November. The meeting aims to streamline negotiations on key issues and build consensus among ministers before the main conference. He confirmed his visit on his X account. The two-day pre-COP will bring together environment and climate ministers, senior negotiators, and observers to narrow differences on politically sensitive issues and build ministerial consensus ahead of the COP30 negotiations, PTI reported. The COP30 presidency expects 30-50 delegations and around 800 participants at the event.Pre-COPs, while not formal UNFCCC events, have become a routine instrument for host countries to focus ministerial attention on a limited set of political questions that otherwise take negotiators weeks to resolve. Ministers use these meetings to test negotiating texts, identify common ground, and prepare positions to expedite negotiations at the main COP.COP30 is unfolding against a complex geopolitical backdrop, with some developed countries reassessing climate strategies amid economic and energy security pressures. The United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has further heightened tensions. Disagreements over climate finance, the pace and responsibility of the energy transition, and burdens on developing countries remain sharp.Trust between developed and developing countries is fragile following COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where many Global South delegates said finance outcomes fell short of expectations. Central issues include the scale and nature of climate finance, grant versus loan structures, and predictability of funds for adaptation and loss and damage. These topics are expected to dominate discussions in Brasília and later in Belém.Logistical concerns are adding further pressure. Reports indicate shortages of hotel rooms and high costs in Belém, potentially limiting participation of smaller delegations and vulnerable countries. Observers warn that unequal attendance could affect negotiating dynamics and the legitimacy of outcomes.Key discussion points include climate finance, the post-2025 collective finance goal, rules and integrity for international carbon trading under Article 6, adaptation and national adaptation plans, and translating the Global Stocktake into actionable timelines. Loss and damage finance will also be a priority, with ministers aiming to make it predictable and accessible.India has emphasised equity and differentiated responsibilities in climate action, urging developed countries to meet Article 9 obligations on finance. It has pressed for predictable and concessional support for adaptation and loss and damage, while highlighting the need for technology transfer and capacity building aligned with national circumstances. India has also underscored a just energy transition that allows space for development.Ahead of COP30, India plans to submit two key documents: an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), extending commitments to 2035, and the country’s first national adaptation plan (NAP). The updated NDC is expected to raise ambition on emissions intensity of GDP, non-fossil electricity capacity, and carbon sinks through forest and tree cover, without introducing new pledges. India has already exceeded its target for non-fossil installed capacity ahead of the 2030 deadline.Officials told PTI that India will closely monitor outcomes on carbon markets and accounting, ensuring that poorly designed rules do not shift burdens or create perverse incentives.