A new report highlights India’s evolving workplace expectations, with a focus on performance over perks. Indian employees’ unique office usage patterns, optimism for physical offices, and rising PropTech innovation position the country as a key market for smart workplace solutions and flexible office operators.
Changing Employee Priorities in India
According to the Unispace Global Workplace Insights 2025–2026 report, Indian employees differ from their global counterparts in what hinders productivity. While noise and distractions top global concerns, Indian workers emphasise the need for better-fitted spaces, robust technology, and environments that support focus. They spend about 52% of their weekly hours at offices, less than the global average, yet 98% strongly believe offices will remain essential by 2030—the highest optimism worldwide.
Evolving Office Use and Workspace Preferences
Unlike most countries, only 27% of Indian office employees have dedicated desks. Meeting rooms, collaboration zones, and social hubs are preferred, reflecting a shift toward spaces that enable learning, mentoring, and social connection. The office is valued as a place to access technology and enhance performance outcomes, rather than just a desk for individual work.
PropTech Growth and Investment Outlook
India’s over 1,500 PropTech startups—specialising in smart building systems, space analytics, flexible environments, and modular design—are capitalising on these workplace changes. Office operators like Awfis and Incuspaze are expanding to meet growing demands for better quality space. Though private equity and venture funding have slightly cooled, investors remain interested in startups focused on solving operational friction, such as connectivity, adaptive layouts, and environmental controls. The investment confidence signals that how well startups blend physical space, tech, and support systems to boost productivity will define success.
The FlexInsights Take
India’s workforce is uniquely resetting how office environments drive performance, which opens a transformative opportunity for PropTech innovation and flexible workspace operators. The strong optimism for physical offices, despite reduced attendance, underlines a nuanced shift from traditional desk-centric models toward collaborative, tech-enabled, and performance-focused spaces—setting India apart as a global leader in workplace evolution and PropTech scalability. Employers and investors who align with these changing needs will be best positioned for sustained growth and talent attraction.
