News: Centre Advises RERAs to Extend Projects by Four Months-31-07-2026
State Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERAs) have been advised by the Centre to extend the registration and completion timelines of eligible real estate projects by four months because of disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis.
The advisory, issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on July 31, applies to all registered projects whose original, revised or extended completion date falls on or after February 28, 2026. It gives developers relief from penalties for delays caused by circumstances beyond their control.
To avoid procedural delay, the Ministry recommended that each State RERA issue a single order granting the extension instead of asking for separate applications project by project.
The Ministry said the situation in West Asia has disrupted global supply chains, causing shortages of construction materials and affecting timely execution. It cited Section 6 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), which permits extension of a project’s registration on account of Force Majeure, a term that includes "war" affecting regular development. Under Section 7(3), it noted, the Authority may let a registration remain in force, instead of revoking it, on terms it considers appropriate in the interest of allottees.
Developers’ bodies welcome step
Shekhar G Patel, president at CREDAI National, called the advisory a positive and timely step in line with the sector’s request. He said the industry had faced significant difficulties with material supply chains and labour availability, and that the extension would help align completion timelines with current conditions. A common order by State RERAs, he added, would ensure uniform implementation while protecting all stakeholders, including homebuyers, and maintaining the sanctity of the RERA framework.
Parveen Jain, president, NAREDCO, described the advisory as timely and pragmatic. He said the geopolitical situation had significantly affected the availability and cost of construction materials, causing unavoidable delays, and that recognising this under RERA’s Force Majeure provisions was balanced and much needed. He urged all state RERAs to implement it "in letter and spirit", saying timely extensions would also protect homebuyers by enabling orderly completion, reducing litigation and giving greater certainty.
NAREDCO said uniform implementation across states would maintain project momentum, ease regulatory hurdles and strengthen homebuyer confidence.
