India’s total data centre (DC) stock across major cities is projected to increase by 30 per cent year-on-year in 2026, supported by an estimated 500 MW of new supply, according to CBRE.

The sector has also seen a sharp rise in investments, totalling $56.4 billion in 2025 alone, bringing the cumulative total to $126 billion. The investments are expected to increase by approximately 45 per cent year-on-year to exceed $180 billion in 2026.

Data centres have, for the first time, been classified as a mainstream asset class, emerging as the fourth most-preferred sector for investors in APAC.

While Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh are likely to lead these capital inflows, the investment landscape is beginning to diversify further towards tier-II cities such as Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam, Patna, and Bhopal.

“The data centre story in India is no longer about potential but about execution at scale. The sector’s resilience and attractive return potential are establishing it as a primary focus for investors, with foreign capital playing a dominant role,” said Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO, India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE.

The sector is also attracting growing interest from investors across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. According to CBRE’s 2026 Asia Pacific Investor Intentions Survey, DCs have topped the list of asset classes where investors in the region expect the highest price appreciation in 2026.

Published on April 1, 2026