India’s Flexible Workspace Segment Records Historic Surge With Over 191,000 Seats Leased in First Half of 2026: Cushman & Wakefield
Gurugram, August 27, 2026: India’s flexible workspace sector achieved its highest-ever half-yearly growth in the first six months of 2026, driven by rising enterprise demand and expanded footprint requirements from Global Capability Centres (GCCs). According to data released by Cushman & Wakefield, flexible workspace operators leased 191,306 seats across the top eight Indian cities during the January-June period, marking a 68.4% year-on-year increase.
The segment recorded a gross leasing volume of 8.4 million square feet in the first half of the year, representing a 55% surge from the 5.4 million square feet recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. Flexible workspace operators captured nearly 20% of the overall office leasing activity of approximately 43 million square feet nationwide, up from a 13% market share in the first half of 2025. GCCs emerged as the primary demand catalyst, accounting for 44% of all flexible workspace seats leased during the period, compared to a 37% share recorded across the full year 2025.
Regional market performance showed widespread expansion across tier-one and emerging commercial hubs. Bengaluru retained its market-leading position by absorbing 57,487 seats, representing 30% of total national uptake and a 31.8% annual increase. Hyderabad followed with 40,451 seats, marking a 170.8% year-on-year surge. Meanwhile, Mumbai and Delhi-NCR recorded seat absorption of 25,820 and 21,970 seats, reflecting annual growth rates of 130% and 152.7%, respectively. Pune recorded 20,900 seats, Chennai absorbed 16,297 seats, Kolkata reached 3,454 seats, and Ahmedabad saw seat uptake rise to 4,927.
Industry leadership emphasized that flexible options are now embedded within primary corporate real estate planning rather than utilized merely as temporary space solutions. Ramita Arora, Executive Managing Director, Bengaluru & Head – Flex, India at Cushman & Wakefield, stated that flexible workspaces have firmly established themselves as a core element of corporate real estate strategies, noting that flex operators now account for nearly one-fifth of total office leasing. She added that as enterprises seek greater agility and efficiency, flex and managed office solutions are becoming integral to long-term workplace planning, with GCCs leveraging these platforms to support rapid expansion.
Ramita Arora further observed that occupiers are prioritizing highly customized, experience-led environments that incorporate technology, wellness-centric design, and sustainability considerations. She added that the growing presence of listed operators is enhancing transparency, governance standards, and occupier confidence, supporting the continued maturation of India’s flexible workspace market.
