Mr. Amit Chopra- President-NAR India
It may have gone unnoticed to the average homebuyer or investor, but a quiet revolution has been reshaping India's real estate landscape. The numbers tell a compelling story: over 50,000 real estate agents have been registered under MahaRERA since the regulatory body's inception eight years ago. What's more, this wave of formalisation includes registrations from 150 cities outside Maharashtra, expanding the reach of compliance and regulation far beyond state borders.
But the story of numbers is only the surface. Beneath it lies a deeper shift-the rise of real estate brokerage as a recognised, respected profession. And at the heart of this transformation stands NAR-INDIA (National Association of Realtors - India), the apex national body for real estate advisors and brokers.
From Peripheral Trade to Pillar of the Industry
For decades, real estate brokerage was the informal backbone of property transactions in India-critical, yet unorganised and often unrecognised. That status quo changed with the introduction of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. However, it was through sustained advocacy by NAR-INDIA that brokers were eventually acknowledged as the third vital pillar of real estate, alongside developers and consumers.
More importantly, NAR-INDIA was instrumental in ensuring that brokerage was brought under the purview of RERA, a crucial step in setting the stage for accountability, transparency, and professionalism.
The Power of Representation
Thanks to its consistent engagement with regulators and policymakers, NAR-INDIA now holds a seat on the Central RERA Consultative Committee, alongside industry heavyweights like CREDAI and NAREDCO. This recognition gives brokers a voice in shaping the regulatory ecosystem-a first in the history of India's property market.
Simultaneously, MahaRERA recognised NAR-INDIA as a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO), entrusting it with the role of mentoring and monitoring its members. With this, the association now plays a formal role in guiding ethical practices, professional development, and training for its nationwide network of members.
Training, Certification, and Raising the Bar
Perhaps the most visible impact of NAR-INDIA's efforts has been the launch of mandatory training, examinations, and certifications for real estate agents, especially in Maharashtra. The association didn't just advocate for these changes-it also helped formulate the syllabus for the competency exams introduced by MahaRERA.
As one of the authorised training providers, NAR-INDIA conducts programs that prepare brokers for certification, thereby helping thousands of agents transition from informal practitioners to recognised professionals. Today, becoming a broker in Maharashtra requires more than just market knowledge-it demands structured learning and formal accreditation, reflecting global standards of real estate advisory.
Beyond Compliance: Building a Culture
The transformation isn't limited to regulation. Through its national conventions, training workshops, CSR initiatives, and member networking forums, NAR-INDIA has been building a culture of professionalism and collective pride within the brokerage community.
What was once a fragmented and often isolated trade has today become an organised, nationwide ecosystem-where real estate advisors share knowledge, best practices, and even business opportunities across cities and states.
The Magicbricks Moment: A Turning Point in Solidarity
A defining moment for the profession came in 2024, when Magicbricks, a leading property portal, published a video campaign that undermined and mocked real estate agents-even as brokers accounted for nearly 70% of its listings. In a first-of-its-kind response, NAR-INDIA issued a public directive urging its members to delist properties from the platform in protest.
The message was clear: the profession now had a voice-and it would not be silenced.
For many brokers, this was a watershed moment. For years, they had operated in the shadows, often stereotyped or dismissed. But here was their apex body taking a firm, unapologetic stand in defence of their dignity and value. The move resonated nationally, reaffirming the association's role as the true representative of the transactional advisory trade.
Why It Matters: A Sector on the Cusp of Professional Maturity
As India's real estate sector grows in complexity and regulation, the need for competent, credible intermediaries becomes even more critical. Developers require professionals who can handle due diligence, pricing insights, and customer trust. Homebuyers and investors need advisors who are trained, licensed, and accountable.
With over 50,000 real estate projects now registered in Maharashtra alone, and other states catching up fast (Tamil Nadu and Gujarat trail with over 27,000 and 15,000 projects respectively), the pressure to build a trust-driven ecosystem has never been higher.
The rise of the certified, RERA-registered real estate agent is not just a policy win-it's a public good.
The Road Ahead
To be sure, the journey is far from over. Thousands of agents across the country are still unregistered. Awareness about training requirements remains uneven. And market dynamics-from tech disruptions to changing buyer behavior-will continue to evolve.
But the foundation has been laid. What once appeared as a loose network of intermediaries has now coalesced into a legitimate, respected profession-one with rules, representation, and recognition.
Thanks to the efforts of NAR-INDIA, India's brokers no longer stand in the shadows. They are informed, empowered, and increasingly indispensable.
And perhaps for the first time, they have an identity beyond the deal: they have a future.
Article By: Mr. Amit Chopra- President-NAR India
