The Reserve Bank has increased the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, marking a shift towards tighter monetary policy. The decision comes as inflation risks strengthen, global bond yields remain elevated and domestic economic activity continues to show resilience. The policy rate was previously maintained at 5.25%. The latest increase signals a greater focus on managing inflation while maintaining a balance with economic growth. Following the repo rate hike, the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate stands at 5.25%, while the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and Bank Rate have been increased to 5.75%.  The rate increase comes amid concerns that inflation could strengthen due to changes in commodity prices, energy costs and global financial conditions. Higher global yields can also influence domestic borrowing costs and financial-market conditions. The monetary policy stance has shifted towards calibrated tightening, indicating that further policy decisions could remain focused on controlling inflation and preventing persistent price pressures. Despite the tighter policy environment, domestic economic activity remains resilient. The Indian economy recorded 7.8% growth in the first quarter of FY2026–27. Manufacturing, services and domestic consumption have continued to support economic activity. Strong economic growth provides greater room for monetary authorities to focus on inflation management without immediately compromising overall economic momentum.  The repo rate has a direct impact on the broader borrowing environment. Banks and financial institutions may adjust lending rates depending on their funding costs and policy transmission. For homebuyers, a rise in lending rates could mean higher EMIs or increased interest costs, particularly for loans linked to floating-rate benchmarks. This may cause some buyers to reassess their property budgets and borrowing capacity. The real estate market could also see changes in buyer behaviour if borrowing costs remain elevated. However, strong employment, income growth and continued housing demand could help support residential property sales.  Future monetary-policy decisions are expected to depend on several factors, including inflation trends, crude oil prices, domestic growth, global interest rates and financial-market conditions. The latest decision therefore marks an important shift in the interest-rate cycle, with the possibility of further tightening depending on how inflation and economic conditions develop in the coming months. 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to raise the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% at its October 7 monetary policy review, according to market expectations. The move could increase borrowing costs for customers with floating-rate home loans. A 25-basis-point increase could raise the EMI on a Rs 50 lakh home loan at 7.5% for 25 years by around Rs 817 per month, depending on the lender and loan structure. Borrowers may therefore face higher EMIs or a longer repayment period. The rate hike could also affect fixed-deposit investors, although existing FDs are generally expected to continue at their booked interest rates. Banks may increase rates on new FDs and renewals if market interest rates move higher. The possible rate increase could have a mixed impact on consumers, with home-loan borrowers facing higher borrowing costs while FD investors may get better rates on future deposits. The actual impact will depend on the RBI's final decision and how individual banks revise their lending and deposit rates.

A housing finance company is set to face a forensic audit following concerns over possible irregularities in its loan accounts and financial records. The investigation will examine whether fictitious, dummy or unsupported loan accounts were created and recorded in the company’s books. The regulator has invited audit firms to conduct an independent examination of the company’s loan portfolio. The audit will verify the existence of borrowers and review customer identification records, loan approvals, disbursements, bank accounts, supporting documents and repayment transactions. A key focus will be on identifying whether repayment entries were manipulated or incorrectly recorded. Auditors will also examine whether loan amounts were actually transferred to genuine borrowers and used for the purposes stated in the loan documents. The investigation will further examine whether the same loan assets were offered as security to more than one lender. Any such irregularity could have significant implications for the company’s financial position and its lenders. The regulator has also sought a loan-by-loan assessment of non-performing assets as of March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026. The review will cover overdue amounts, loan reversals, restructuring arrangements and subsequent recoveries. If any irregularities are identified, the appointed auditor will be required to calculate their financial impact. The audit is expected to help determine the extent of potential issues in the company’s lending operations and financial reporting. The audit firm will conduct the investigation within a specified timeframe and submit a detailed report to the regulator. The exercise is part of broader regulatory efforts to strengthen transparency, verify loan records and identify potential financial risks in the housing finance sector.

Tamil Nadu will discontinue compulsory Saturday operations at 100 sub-registrar offices from November 1, 2026, reversing a policy introduced in 2022 to help people who are unable to visit registration offices on weekdays. The Commercial Taxes and Registration Department issued an order on October 1, cancelling the earlier directive that required the selected offices to remain open on Saturdays. The offices will now function only on weekdays. The decision aims to reduce the workload of sub-registrars as the state expands its presence-less and paperless property registration system, which allows eligible transactions to be completed without parties visiting registration offices in person. According to the department, Saturday registrations have contributed to delays in administrative work, as sub-registrars are also responsible for several other office duties apart from document registration. The revised system is expected to help streamline administrative operations, reduce pending work and maintain the quality of registration services as Tamil Nadu moves towards digital property registration.

Chennai has recorded its highest-ever tax revenue collection in the first six months of a financial year, generating Rs 1,436.75 crore through property tax and professional tax during the first half of FY 2026–27. The total revenue includes Rs 1,124.69 crore from property tax and Rs 312.06 crore from professional tax. Compared to the corresponding period of FY 2025–26, property tax collection increased by 12.95%, while professional tax revenue grew by 6.89%. The property tax collection came close to the first-half target of Rs 1,200 crore, achieving approximately 93.7% of the target. Around 9.20 lakh property tax assessees and 45,000 professional tax assessees have paid their taxes in full during this period. On September 30, the final day for paying the first-half property tax without penalty, the city collected Rs 50.26 crore in property tax and Rs 45.94 crore in professional tax, taking the day's total collection to Rs 96.20 crore. The increase in tax revenue has been attributed to regular monitoring, periodic reviews, micro-level collection planning and an intensive tax collection drive conducted in July. During the same period in FY 2025–26, the total tax collection stood at Rs 1,283 crore, comprising Rs 992 crore in property tax and Rs 291 crore in professional tax. The latest figures indicate an increase of Rs 153.75 crore in overall revenue. The city has approximately 4.15 lakh registered property taxpayers and more than 1.2 lakh professional taxpayers. The increased revenue collection is expected to support civic administration, infrastructure maintenance and the delivery of essential public services.

The cement industry is expected to face a prolonged period of excess capacity, with supply likely to grow faster than demand over the next few years. Installed cement capacity is projected to increase from around 654 million tonnes (mt) in FY25 to 702 mt in FY26, before reaching approximately 867 mt by FY29. Cement demand is also expected to remain healthy but is projected to grow at a slower pace than capacity. As a result, industry capacity utilisation could remain below 70% through FY29, according to industry estimates. Cement manufacturers are expected to add around 42 mt of capacity in FY27, 67 mt in FY28 and another 56 mt in FY29. Meanwhile, cement consumption is forecast to increase from approximately 486 mt in FY26 to 596 mt by FY29. Demand growth is estimated at 8.7% in FY26 and is expected to moderate to around 7.1% annually between FY27 and FY29. The continued addition of new production capacity could keep the supply-demand balance under pressure. With capacity expanding faster than consumption, cement manufacturers may face limited pricing power over the coming years. The trend could also have implications for the construction and real estate sectors, particularly through changes in cement prices, construction costs and project margins.

The deadline to pay property tax for the first half of the 2026–2027 financial year without penalty ends today, September 30, 2026, in Chennai. Property owners who fail to pay their dues within the specified deadline will be charged 1% interest per month on the outstanding tax amount. Residents have therefore been advised to complete their payments on time to avoid additional interest charges. Property tax and professional tax are among the major sources of revenue for the city administration and contribute towards infrastructure, civic services and development activities. Property tax is collected twice a year through the revenue and finance administration. Several payment options are available for residents. Property tax can be paid directly at zonal offices, ward offices and through tax collection officials. Residents can also make payments from home through the official online payment portal, mobile application, WhatsApp payment facility at 9445061913, and QR-code-based payment options. Property owners who have not yet paid their first-half property tax are advised to complete the payment today to avoid additional interest charges.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to raise the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% in October, according to a majority of economists surveyed between September 18 and 28. If implemented, it would be the first RBI rate hike since February 2023. The expected increase comes as inflation has accelerated and energy and food prices remain elevated. India’s retail inflation rose to 4.82% in August, exceeding the RBI’s 4% medium-term target for the third consecutive month. Rising food and energy costs were among the key factors behind the increase. The RBI is also facing pressure from the weakening Indian rupee. The rupee has declined by around 6% against the US dollar this year, adding to concerns over imported inflation and monetary stability. The Reuters poll found that 35 of 61 economists expected the Monetary Policy Committee to increase the repo rate by 25 basis points during its October 5–7 meeting. The survey also showed that 29 of 53 economists expected at least another 25-basis-point rate increase by December. If rates rise, borrowing costs for home loans, personal loans and other floating-rate loans could increase depending on how banks and financial institutions pass on the change. The RBI’s August policy meeting had indicated that further rate action could be considered if inflationary pressures continued to broaden. 

Housing sales across major Indian cities declined by 6% during the July–September quarter, as homebuyers remained cautious amid subdued market conditions. Around 1.03 lakh housing units were sold during the quarter, compared with approximately 1.09 lakh units during the same period last year. The decline was mainly attributed to weaker buyer demand and a reduction in new project launches. Developers launched around 98,165 housing units during the quarter, compared with 1,00,330 units in the corresponding period last year, marking a decline of nearly 2%. Housing sales declined across several major markets, while a few markets recorded growth during the quarter. Some locations reported double-digit increases in sales, indicating that demand remained stronger in selected markets despite the overall slowdown. Among the markets that recorded declines, some witnessed sales falling by around 17%, while others reported decreases ranging between 8% and 16%. Despite the quarterly decline, one major market recorded the highest sales volume, with around 17,860 housing units sold during the period. The latest figures indicate that homebuyers are continuing to adopt a cautious approach before making property purchases. At the same time, developers appear to be adjusting new project launches in response to changing demand conditions. Despite the decline during the July–September quarter, housing sales and new residential supply in major urban markets have continued to remain close to the one-lakh-unit level per quarter, highlighting the continued scale of activity in the country's primary residential property market.

The Supreme Court has clarified that the legality of commercial properties and constructions located in residential areas must be examined based on the existing Master Plan and applicable building by-laws. The interim order was passed on September 22 and was subsequently uploaded on the court’s website. The clarification comes in the context of the revision of the Master Plan and the regulation of properties whose existing use or construction may be subject to planning restrictions. During the hearing, the court was informed that the existing Master Plan had not been revised for several years and that a new draft Master Plan had been prepared. The authorities sought permission to publish the draft so that members of the public and other stakeholders could submit their objections and suggestions. The Supreme Court permitted the publication of the draft Master Plan and allowed the process of inviting objections to proceed. However, it made it clear that the draft could not be given final approval without further permission from the court. An important aspect of the order is the court’s clarification regarding properties and constructions during this period. The authorities have been directed to examine whether a particular property or construction conforms to the existing Master Plan and the applicable building by-laws of the competent authority. This means that the proposed changes in the draft Master Plan cannot automatically be used as the basis for determining the present legality of a property. The existing planning regulations will continue to be relevant when authorities examine the legality of commercial use or construction. The Supreme Court also stressed that the authorities must apply the rules uniformly. Property owners and constructions must not be subjected to different standards based on selective enforcement. The court made it clear that if it is brought to its notice that authorities have adopted a selective or “pick-and-choose” approach while taking action against properties, the matter could be viewed seriously. The clarification is significant for owners of commercial properties situated in areas classified for residential use. The legality of such properties will have to be considered with reference to the currently applicable Master Plan, land-use provisions and building by-laws. At the same time, the publication of the draft Master Plan allows the planning revision process to move forward, including the submission of objections and suggestions. However, the draft will not become the final Master Plan without the required approval. The order therefore distinguishes between the existing planning framework used to assess current properties and the proposed Master Plan that is still undergoing the revision process.

The Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) is shifting towards a demand-driven housing model to reduce unsold inventory and ensure that new residential projects match the requirements of prospective homebuyers. Under the new approach, demand for one-, two- and three-bedroom homes will be assessed before construction begins. Based on the responses received, housing projects will be planned and developed according to the preferences and requirements of buyers. Officials said the earlier practice of constructing homes in different sizes before assessing demand had contributed to a large number of unsold properties. The new system is aimed at addressing this issue and improving the efficiency of housing projects. Housing projects have been proposed across several locations in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu. The initiative will cover both residential flats and plots, depending on demand in individual locations. As part of the first phase, a dedicated online portal has been introduced to assess public demand. Interested homebuyers can register their requirements by selecting their preferred location, type of dwelling and other relevant preferences. The registrations will be used only to analyse housing demand and will not provide applicants with any priority or preference in the allotment of homes. The housing board is also planning to introduce additional quality-control measures. Building designs and project estimates will undergo third-party verification to strengthen the planning and construction process. Once construction work begins, prospective allottees will also be able to monitor the progress of their respective projects through the system. The demand-based approach is expected to help the housing board plan projects more efficiently, reduce unsold housing inventory and improve transparency throughout the construction process.

The Tamil Nadu Registration Department has revised certain procedures under its presenceless deed registration system, making it easier to complete eligible property registrations without physically visiting the Sub-Registrar’s Office. Under the revised procedure, a free certificate obtained online will be sufficient for registering eligible house and land sale deeds, mortgage documents and other specified documents under the new registration system. The department has made these changes after receiving requests and feedback regarding practical difficulties faced during the implementation of the scheme. Earlier, applicants were required to obtain a certificate by paying a fee for certain presenceless registrations. The revised procedure also allows mortgage deeds submitted through the Citizens’ Gateway to be accepted for registration. In addition, ownership proof will not have to be verified for specified receipt documents related to the completion of loans. Another major change is the removal of the holiday fee for presenceless deed registration. Applicants will therefore not be required to pay an additional holiday charge when eligible documents are registered under the system. The department has also clarified that ‘Presentation Power’ documents cannot be used for presenceless registration. Under the online system, the document holder can submit and register documents through the internet from any location, and the special arrangement is therefore not permitted for such transactions. The latest changes form part of Tamil Nadu’s broader efforts to digitise property registration services and reduce the need for physical visits to registration offices. The revised procedures are expected to streamline eligible property transactions while making online registration more convenient for citizens.