From Concrete to Conscience: How Buildings Are Going Green for Good in India
India’s cities are changing—and not just in size or shape. Behind the glass towers and booming skylines, a quiet but powerful shift is taking place. It's not just about building more anymore; it's about building better. A recent report by Colliers and CREDAI shows how India’s real estate sector is turning its focus to sustainability, and the results are nothing short of groundbreaking.
Until recently, green buildings were seen as a bonus feature or a high-end add-on. Today, they’re fast becoming the standard. As of 2024, nearly two-thirds—66%—of Grade A office buildings in India’s top cities are green-certified. This number is expected to jump to around 700 million square feet within the next two to three years. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a fundamental shift in how India is choosing to grow.
What’s even more impressive is how fast this transformation is happening. In just five years, India’s green-certified building space has doubled, reaching 13 billion square feet. Cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru are leading the way, with over 70% of their top office spaces already certified green.
But why this sudden rush to go green? The answer lies in the numbers. Green buildings don’t just help the planet—they also make solid business sense. These buildings are seeing higher occupancy rates—some as high as 91%—and can charge up to 25% more in rent compared to non-certified spaces. For investors and developers, that’s a clear win.
And it’s not just the commercial sector. Sustainable practices are spreading across homes, malls, hospitals, data centers, and hotels. More than two million homes and over 60 entire townships in India are already green-certified. People now realize that green homes aren’t just good for the environment—they also mean lower electricity bills, cleaner air, and better living.
One area with huge potential is retrofitting older buildings. Many offices built over 10 years ago can be upgraded with green features. This could attract new investments worth over INR 425 billion and increase the lifespan and value of these buildings. Even newer buildings have room for improvement, offering great returns with relatively low upgrades.
However, for this green wave to keep growing, everyone needs to be on board. That means quicker government clearances, more tax benefits for eco-friendly designs, and stricter sustainability rules. The more support and awareness we build, the faster we can create cities that are both livable and future-ready.
The Colliers report is more than a data dump—it’s a sign of the times. A country once known for its fast urban sprawl is now aiming to lead by example in sustainable development. Each eco-friendly office, solar-powered data center, and energy-efficient home is part of a larger mission: to build cities that are not just smart, but responsible.
India’s urban future isn’t just about growing upwards—it’s about growing wisely. The real estate industry is proving that climate action and economic progress can go hand in hand. And as that green skyline rises, so does the hope for a healthier, more sustainable tomorrow.
By ANJISHNU BISWAS
Back More Than a Transaction: How eBay and Checkout.com Are Quietly Changing the Way the World Pays
In today’s fast-moving world of online shopping, how people pay has become just as important as what they buy. With millions of users and billions of listings, eBay knows that to stay ahead, every part of the buying experience has to be smooth—especially payments. That’s why their new global partnership with Checkout.com is a big deal.
This isn’t just about upgrading technology. It’s about staying ahead in a world where buyers expect speed and sellers need reliability. eBay, with its reach across 190 countries, is now teaming up with one of the world’s top payment platforms to make sure transactions happen quickly, safely, and without hassle.
According to Avritti Khandurie Mittal, eBay’s VP of Global Payments, this move is all about meeting customer needs and preparing for the future. With Checkout.com’s ability to process payments in over 145 currencies, eBay is making sure that whether you're shopping from Seoul or São Paulo, the experience feels local and easy.
Guillaume Pousaz, CEO of Checkout.com, called eBay a trailblazer in online commerce and believes this partnership will help make payments smoother and more efficient for everyone. When people shop online, they usually only notice payment systems when something goes wrong. This collaboration aims to make those systems so good, you don’t even notice them at all.
This isn’t just a tech upgrade for eBay—it’s a smart move to make their platform even stronger. By bringing in Checkout.com, they’re fine-tuning how money moves around the world in their marketplace.
At the end of the day, what this partnership really means is simpler, safer shopping for eBay users everywhere. It's proof that behind every successful click-to-buy moment is a powerful system working silently in the background. And now, that system just got a lot stronger.
Back Not Just Numbers: The 22 Crore Investors Who Are Redefining the Financial Story of India
India’s stock market isn’t just growing—it’s transforming. The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) recently hit a remarkable milestone, crossing 22 crore Unique Client Codes (UCCs) as of April. But this isn’t merely about big data—it’s about big change. In just six months, the NSE added another 2 crore investor accounts, showing a powerful shift in how Indians view and engage with financial markets.
Behind these numbers are millions of individuals making personal decisions to step into the world of investments—people from small towns, large cities, different walks of life, each creating their own path in India's economic journey. What once felt like an elite, insider’s game on Dalal Street is now unfolding in homes across Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, and beyond. Maharashtra leads with 3.8 crore investor accounts, but the real story is how India’s financial map is expanding beyond traditional centers.
While the number of unique registered investors reached 11.3 crore by the end of March 2025, it’s not just about registrations—it’s about participation. It’s about access. And technology is making it possible. From mobile apps to digital onboarding, the stock market is becoming more reachable than ever, especially in Tier 2, 3, and 4 cities.
Sriram Krishnan, NSE’s Chief Business Development Officer, rightly said this surge shows investor trust in India’s growth. And that trust is not blind—it’s backed by results. The Nifty 50 delivered an impressive 22% annual return over the last five years, with the broader Nifty 500 doing even better at 25%. These are not just benchmarks; they’re signs of opportunity, of wealth creation, and of growing financial literacy.
Supporting this growth is the NSE’s Investor Protection Fund, which rose over 23% in a year, reaching Rs 2,459 crore by March 2025. It’s a reminder that alongside growth, security matters too.
This is no longer just about stocks and charts—it’s about identity. The stock market is becoming a symbol of ambition for the everyday Indian. The chaiwala, the college graduate, the homemaker—they’re not just watching markets move; they’re making them move. This is the beginning of a deeper financial culture, where investing isn’t a gamble—it’s a statement.
The NSE’s latest milestone is more than a headline. It marks the rise of a financially aware, digitally enabled, and investment-ready India. And this time, it’s truly everyone’s story.
Back The Commodity Cascade: How Trump and His Tariffs Are Shaking Global Markets
In the wake of President Donald Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs, the global commodity markets are reeling from the sudden shockwaves. The immediate consequences are most evident in the sharp decline of precious metals like gold and silver, as well as crude oil, all of which have taken a hit in both local and international markets. What seemed like a calculated move in an ongoing trade war has now become a pivotal factor in reshaping economic landscapes worldwide.
Gold, once seen as a stable haven in times of economic uncertainty, has been caught in the turbulence of these trade tensions. On Monday, the price of 24-carat gold dropped by a staggering Rs 2,613, bringing it down to Rs 88,401 per 10 grams, a significant reduction from Rs 91,014 just days before. The prices of other gold varieties followed suit, with 22-carat gold now priced at Rs 86,280 per 10 grams, and 18-carat gold seeing a fall to Rs 78,680 per 10 grams. Silver prices also took a severe hit, losing Rs 4,535 per kilogram, now trading at Rs 88,375.
Looking at global trends, the situation becomes even more apparent. International gold prices have slipped from their record high of $3,201 per ounce to around $3,060. Similarly, silver has followed the downward trend, decreasing from $35 to around $30.40 per ounce.
So, why the decline in precious metals? The reason lies in the broader impact of Trump’s tariffs, which have created a wave of uncertainty among investors. As the tariffs increase, global trade becomes more unpredictable, prompting many to scale back investments in commodities like gold and silver, which are typically seen as safer options during uncertain times.
The effects, however, extend beyond metals. Crude oil, too, has been pulled into the vortex of this trade war. On Monday, Brent crude saw a drop of 2.12%, closing at $64.24 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell by 2.24%, landing at $60.61 per barrel. Since the tariffs were announced, oil prices have plummeted by approximately 14%. The drop is primarily driven by fears of an impending slowdown in the global economy, which could reduce demand for oil.
Economists are particularly concerned that this trade war will disrupt global economic growth, especially between the world's largest economies. If trade between major players like the U.S. and China falters, the resulting economic slowdown could curtail global oil demand, further exacerbating the price drop. To compound matters, China retaliated by imposing a hefty 34% tariff on American goods, heightening fears of a full-scale trade war that could rattle global markets even more.
While the tariffs exclude oil, gas, and refined products for now, experts warn that the long-term effects could still raise inflation, impede growth, and heighten geopolitical tensions. These trade-induced pressures could leave oil prices struggling to recover, especially if the global economy slows down further.
Ultimately, Trump’s tariffs have ignited more than just a diplomatic clash—they have triggered a chain of economic disruptions that are rattling global commodity markets. Investors are grappling with the unpredictable nature of these tariffs and their far-reaching implications. The full impact of this trade war is yet to unfold, but it’s already clear that the current situation has set the stage for a new era of economic uncertainty that could reshape the global market in profound ways.
Back The Financial Awakening: How Indian Women Are Reshaping the Economic Landscape
A new set of government statistics paints an encouraging picture of women’s growing participation in India’s financial and entrepreneurial sectors. According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), women now own 39.2% of all bank accounts and contribute 39.7% of total deposits. This is particularly notable in rural areas, where women make up 42.2% of bank account holders, demonstrating a significant shift toward financial inclusion in previously underserved regions.
The 26th edition of MoSPI’s publication, *Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data*, sheds light on several trends that illustrate women’s increasing engagement in India’s economy. One of the key highlights is the rise in DEMAT accounts, signaling a growing interest among women in the stock market. Between March 2021 and November 2024, the number of DEMAT accounts in India grew from 33.26 million to 143.02 million, marking a more than fourfold increase. While male account holders still dominate, women’s participation has steadily grown, with their number jumping from 6.67 million in 2021 to 27.71 million in 2024.
Another key revelation in the report is the surge in female-headed proprietary establishments across sectors like manufacturing, trade, and services. This trend highlights the increasing number of women taking on leadership roles in various industries. The report further notes a rise in the number of startups with at least one female director, a sign of the growing entrepreneurial spirit among women. From 1,943 such startups in 2017, the number of women-led startups has soared to 17,405 in 2024.
Additionally, the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for people aged 15 and above has seen a notable increase, rising from 49.8% in 2017-18 to 60.1% in 2023-24. This upward trend reflects the increasing involvement of women in India’s workforce, contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth.
The MoSPI’s latest publication provides an insightful look into the evolving gender landscape of India, offering valuable data on key aspects such as population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making. The report showcases how women are gradually but significantly reshaping India’s economic fabric through greater participation in banking, entrepreneurship, and the workforce.
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