India has turned out to be one of the strong advocates for office-based work as, according to JLL, the global real estate services firm, 90% of companies need their employees to report to the office for at least three days of the week. The country stands way above the global average of 85% with regard to preference for an in-office environment.

The survey indicates this trend is likely to grow. "This trend is expected to strengthen, with 54 percent of organizations in India (43 percent globally) anticipating an increase in office days by 2030," the report noted.

Indian workplaces are undergoing major changes as businesses increasingly use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their operations.

According to a recent survey, 95% of business leaders in India plan to increase AI investments in the next five years. The report also discussed how AI is transforming workplace operations and reshaping the way offices are designed and managed.

"A staggering 94 percent of businesses foresee AI changing their workforce operations, with 95 percent planning to accelerate AI investments over the next five years," the survey stated.

This research project is part of an international research initiative that includes more than 2,300 CRE and business leaders.

Even the corporates in India have moved into sustainability in their business planning strategies. According to the survey, 77% of respondents plan to increase spending on sustainability initiatives, while 70% already have programs aimed at reducing their environmental impact. Additionally, nearly half of the organizations expressed a willingness to pay a premium for office spaces that come with top-tier green certifications by 2030.

While the strategies of India's workplaces are promising, some challenges continue to exist. According to the survey, 44% of corporate real estate (CRE) leaders find long-term planning difficult due to the rapidly changing landscape of the organization. Also, 46% mentioned that poor integration with other business units is a challenge for delivering greater value.

The survey stresses that corporate leadership and CRE teams need to align their workplace goals through partnerships. This is considered the need to create efficient portfolios and solutions for the workplace ready for future demands.

Workplace evolution in India will be driven by a mix of technology and sustainability. However, addressing hurdles in planning and integration will be the key to smoother transitions in the future.