Concrete

Women in Home Ownership

Published

8 months ago

April 18, 2025

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Vinita Singhania, discusses the importance of home ownership amongst women as a crucial step towards financial independence.

Financial independence is the ticket to a life of personal choice. For women, the idea is more than just income and savings and includes the possession of assets that yield long-term security. Financial inclusion has expanded, with more women taking charge of their investments. Women now represent over 25 per cent of individual investors and hold 33 per cent of the total individual assets under management (AUM). Notably, participation in mutual funds is also growing beyond the top 30 cities, as highlighted in the AMFI Factbook 2024.
Among all the investments, real estate is the most unique. Homeownership is independence, protection against uncertainty, and a foundation for future stability. Throughout the globe, successful women have identified property as a great wealth builder. Oprah Winfrey, the self-made billionaire, has continued to make property investments, which is a testament to having an appreciation of long-term worth. In India, professionals and businesswomen are defying conventional stereotypes by actively making property investments, thereby changing the narrative from reliance to economic independence.

Rise in women’s involvement in real estate investment
For decades, homeownership was considered a male-dominated domain. That is changing dramatically now. Women across all income groups are entering the real estate purchase business, looking at this activity not as a secondary option but as a main means of achieving financial independence. Industry data in recent years indicate that over 30 per cent of property buyers in urban India are women—a figure doubled in the last decade.
Policy incentives, such as lower stamp duties for women buyers and tax relief on home loans, are helping drive this trend. Section 80C of the Income Tax Act allows first-time female homeowners to claim a deduction of up to `1.5 lakh on the principal repayment of their home loan. Additionally, under Section 24(b), women can deduct up to `2 lakh on the interest paid for a home loan, provided they own the property entirely.
Above all, it is a shift in attitude—women are actively making their own financial security instead of waiting passively for it to happen.

Importance of home ownership to women
Home ownership is a financial foundation that no other investment can offer. In contrast to rental property, whose value fluctuates based on market trends, a home is a steady asset that gains value over the years. It accumulates wealth from generation to generation and provides a haven in times of need. Furthermore, women who are homeowners can avail themselves of more financial opportunities either by using the property as collateral for business expansion or by accessing education loans.
Apart from economic advantages, home ownership is a step towards autonomy. It guarantees that women have a place where decisions are theirs alone, without interference or social control. In a world where women’s economic independence is still questionable, homeownership is a revolution. Real estate investment strongly supports a woman’s social standing. Some banks provide women homebuyers with loans covering up to 90 per cent of the property’s value, compared to 80 per cent for men. Others offer extended repayment tenures of up to 30 years, easing the financial burden and making homeownership more manageable.

Challenges that still persist
Despite progress, several challenges persist. Financial literacy gaps remain a major issue. Many women are not introduced to financial planning early in life, which results in hesitation when making large investments like home purchases. Income inequality is also an issue. With the pay gap between men and women, still an issue in most industries, women will tend to be granted smaller loans than men, which reduces their purchasing power.
Social and cultural biases are also barriers. Economic choices in the majority of households are still within the purview of male household members, whereas independent investment choices by women are disapproved.
Moreover, legal and administrative complexities such as property title verification and mortgage approval processes can make it so difficult for first-time buyers.

Overcoming obstacles: Road to property ownership
Empowerment starts with awareness. Women need to give top priority to financial literacy, investment education, loan terms, and property laws. Banks and organisations now provide courses and online resources to make home buying easier. Accessing the policy incentives is a crucial step. The different states offer a lower rate of stamp duty to women buyers, and the banks provide differential rates of interest on housing loans. These incentives may significantly lower the cost of property ownership.
Maintaining and building a strong credit profile is of the utmost significance. Timely payment of loans, proper use of credit, and paying off current debts improve one’s loan-worthiness and better interest rates. There needs to be meticulous research. Women must research a variety of financing opportunities, compare homes diligently, and consult an attorney to discuss ownership papers prior to buying.
Consulting professional guidance from property and finance specialists can increase knowledge, thus making informed decisions in accordance with long-term financial goals. An informed strategy allows for an easier and more satisfying path to homeownership.

Conclusion
Women in India and across the world are redefining financial independence through real estate investment. Purchasing a property is a symbol of independence, planning and determination. While challenges remain, proactive steps, supportive policies and a determined mindset can help more women claim their rightful place in the real estate landscape. A home is an investment in empowerment, security and a future shaped by one’s own choices.

About the author:
Vinita Singhania, Chairperson and Managing Director, JK Lakshmi Cement Limited, is a businesswoman, and an industrialist, with diversified and rich business experience.

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Cement Makers Positive on H2 Demand Outlook

Major producers expect stronger sales in the second half of FY26.

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

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The leading cement producers have posted high single-digit volume growth and better sales realisation in the July–September quarter, setting a positive tone for the second half of FY26. Companies are upbeat on demand prospects, supported by a strong housing sector and continued government spending on major infrastructure projects.

UltraTech, Ambuja Cement, Shree Cement, Dalmia Bharat and Nuvoco Vistas recorded revenue growth of up to 18 per cent in the September quarter. The rise was driven by firm realisations, softer input costs and an increased share of premium products.

With coal prices easing and diesel rates remaining stable year-on-year, companies expect margins to improve further in the coming months despite a rise in petcoke costs. In recent earnings calls, cement makers highlighted that the individual home builders segment across rural and urban markets is likely to drive demand, aided by favourable monsoon conditions, recent tax benefits and GST reforms.

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Fornnax Unveils the World’s Largest NPD and Demo Centre to Accelerate Global Recycling Innovation

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2 days ago

December 3, 2025

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A 12-acre innovation campus enables Fornnax to design, test and validate high-performance recycling solutions at global standards in record time.

Fornnax has launched one of the world’s largest New Product Development (NPD) centres and demo plants, spanning more than 12 acres, marking a major step toward its vision of becoming a global recycling technology leader by 2030. Designed to accelerate real-world innovation, the facility will enable faster product design cycles, large-scale performance validation, and more reliable equipment for high-demand recycling applications.

At the core of the new campus is a live demo plant engineered to support application-specific testing. Fornnax will use this facility to upgrade its entire line of shredders and granulators—enhancing capacity, improving energy efficiency, and reducing downtime. With controlled test environments, machines can be validated for 3,000 to 15,000 hours of operation, ensuring real-world durability and high availability of 18–20 hours per day. This approach gives customers proven performance data before deployment.

“Innovation in product development is the key to becoming a global leader,” said Jignesh Kundariya, Director and CEO of Fornnax. “With this facility, we can design, test and validate new technologies in 6–8 months, compared to 4–5 years in a customer’s plant. Every machine will undergo rigorous Engineering Build (EB) and Manufacturing Build (MB) testing in line with international standards.”

Engineering Excellence Powered by Gate Review Methodology

Fornnax’s NPD framework follows a structured Gate Review Process, ensuring precision and discipline at every step. Projects begin with market research and ideation led by Sales and Marketing, followed by strategic review from the Leadership Team. Detailed engineering is then developed by the Design Team and evaluated by Manufacturing, Service and Safety before approval. A functional prototype is built and tested for 6–8 months, after which the design is optimised for mass production and commercial rollout.

Open-Door Customer Demonstration and Material Testing

The facility features an open-door demonstration model, allowing customers to bring their actual materials and test multiple machines under varied operating conditions. Clients can evaluate performance parameters, compare configurations and make informed purchasing decisions without operational risk.

The centre will also advance research into emerging sectors including E-waste, cables, lithium-ion batteries and niche heterogeneous waste streams. Highly qualified engineering and R&D teams will conduct feasibility studies and performance analysis to develop customised solutions for unfamiliar or challenging materials. This capability reinforces Fornnax’s reputation as a solution-oriented technology provider capable of solving real recycling problems.

Developing Global Recycling Talent

Beyond technology, the facility also houses a comprehensive OEM training centre. It will prepare operators and maintenance technicians for real-world plant conditions. Trainees will gain hands-on experience in assembly, disassembly and grinding operations before deployment at customer sites. Post-training, they will serve as skilled support professionals for Fornnax installations. The company will also deliver corporate training programs for international and domestic clients to enable optimal operation, swift troubleshooting and high-availability performance.

A Roadmap to Capture Global Demand

Fornnax plans to scale its offerings in response to high-growth verticals including Tyre recycling, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), E-waste, Cable and Aluminium recycling. The company is also preparing solutions for new opportunities such as Auto Shredder Residue (ASR) and Lithium-Ion Battery recovery. With research, training, validation and customer engagement housed under one roof, Fornnax is laying the foundation for the next generation of recycling technologies.

“Our goal is to empower customers with clarity and confidence before they invest,” added Kundariya. “This facility allows them to test their own materials, compare equipment and see real performance. It’s not just about selling machines—it’s about building trust through transparency and delivering solutions that work.”

With this milestone, Fornnax reinforces its long-term commitment to enabling industries worldwide with proven, future-ready recycling solutions rooted in innovation, engineering discipline and customer collaboration.

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India’s Steel Imports Drop 34 Per Cent, Exports Rise 25 Per Cent In April–October

Consumption grows despite weak prices and subdued demand

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7 days ago

November 28, 2025

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India’s finished steel imports fell 34.1 per cent year-on-year to 2.5 million tonnes in the first seven months of the financial year, according to government data. Despite the decline, the world’s second-largest crude steel producer remained a net importer of finished steel during the April–October period. The fall in imports came alongside a 7.4 per cent rise in domestic consumption, which reached 92.2 million tonnes.

South Korea emerged as India’s largest source of finished steel imports, supplying 1.4 million tonnes. It was followed by China, Japan and Russia. Although total imports declined sharply, the figures show a continued inflow of foreign steel into the Indian market.

Domestic production remained strong. Finished steel output stood at 91.6 million tonnes for April–October, while crude steel production reached 95.7 million tonnes, underscoring the scale and resilience of India’s steel industry despite external competition.

In contrast to the fall in imports, India’s finished steel exports jumped 25.3 per cent year-on-year to 3.5 million tonnes. Europe was a major destination, with Italy and Belgium leading as top importers of Indian steel, followed by Spain. This highlights the growing global competitiveness of Indian steel in select markets.

The government noted that domestic steel prices have come under pressure due to weak demand and high supply. Trading activity also remained subdued during the festival season. This challenging environment has been particularly difficult for smaller steel producers, as previously reported.

Overall, the combination of declining imports, rising exports and increasing domestic consumption reflects the complex landscape of the Indian steel sector as it navigates muted internal demand and evolving international trade dynamics.