What Do Indian HNIs Invest In? 2025 Trends
What Do Indian HNIs Invest In? 2025 Trends
Jul 11, 2025
India's high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) are transforming the investment landscape. Driven by a younger, more globally connected generation of entrepreneurs, professionals, and inheritors, the investment preferences of HNIs are rapidly evolving.
In 2025, traditional asset classes like real estate and gold still hold a strong emotional and cultural appeal. However, a significant shift toward diversified, tech-driven, and impact-oriented investments is reshaping how India’s affluent grow and protect their wealth.
Let’s explore what Indian HNIs are truly investing in today — and what that means for the future of wealth management.
Real Estate: Still a Cultural Stronghold
For decades, real estate has been the cornerstone of Indian wealth creation. In 2025, around 40% of Indian HNIs continue to allocate significant portions of their portfolios to residential and commercial properties, driven by both emotional security and legacy planning.
However, the focus is shifting from purely residential assets in India to diversified real estate portfolios, including overseas properties in Dubai, London, and Singapore, as well as REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) offering more liquidity.
Equity Markets: A Rising Favorite
The growing maturity of Indian equity markets, coupled with robust IPO activity, has attracted more HNIs than ever. According to Kotak Wealth Management’s 2024 report, over 60% of HNIs now hold direct equity or managed equity portfolios, up from 45% five years ago.
HNIs are increasingly turning to professionally managed PMS (Portfolio Management Services), thematic equity funds, and international ETFs, aiming for higher returns and global diversification.
Alternative Investments: Private Equity & Venture Capital
India’s startup ecosystem has turned many first-generation entrepreneurs into angel investors and private market enthusiasts. In 2025, approximately 20% of HNI portfolios include allocations to private equity and venture capital, signaling a robust appetite for high-risk, high-reward opportunities.
These investments offer HNIs a chance to support emerging businesses, participate in early-stage growth stories, and diversify away from public markets.
Fixed Income & Structured Products: Stability with a Twist
While HNIs crave higher returns, capital preservation remains a priority. Fixed income continues to account for around 15–20% of HNI portfolios, but the instruments are evolving.
Traditional fixed deposits are giving way to tax-free bonds, market-linked debentures, and customized structured products that offer downside protection while capturing equity market upsides.
Gold & Precious Metals: Emotional and Strategic
Gold has always been more than an asset in India; it's a tradition. In 2025, HNIs continue to hold 5–8% of their portfolios in gold and other precious metals, often as a hedge against inflation and currency volatility.
Interestingly, HNIs are exploring digital gold and global precious metal ETFs as more efficient, liquid ways to maintain this strategic allocation.
Philanthropy & Impact Investing: Growing Consciousness
Beyond wealth creation, HNIs are becoming increasingly focused on legacy and impact. According to Bain & Company, nearly 30% of Indian HNIs plan to increase their allocation to philanthropy and impact-focused investments over the next three years.
This includes green bonds, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) funds, and direct investments in social enterprises — reflecting a shift toward purpose-driven wealth management.
🌟 Final Thoughts
The 2025 investment landscape for Indian HNIs is characterized by dynamic diversification — a blend of tradition and innovation. While real estate and gold remain beloved, there is an unmistakable shift toward equities, global assets, private markets, and impact-driven opportunities.
For wealth managers and advisors, this presents a tremendous opportunity to craft holistic, globally integrated strategies that resonate with the evolving values and aspirations of India’s affluent.
🚀 Want to better understand India’s emerging HNIs?
Affluense.ai delivers reputation intelligence and deep wealth insights to help you engage with India’s most influential individuals and families. Discover more at Affluense.ai.
India's high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) are transforming the investment landscape. Driven by a younger, more globally connected generation of entrepreneurs, professionals, and inheritors, the investment preferences of HNIs are rapidly evolving.
In 2025, traditional asset classes like real estate and gold still hold a strong emotional and cultural appeal. However, a significant shift toward diversified, tech-driven, and impact-oriented investments is reshaping how India’s affluent grow and protect their wealth.
Let’s explore what Indian HNIs are truly investing in today — and what that means for the future of wealth management.
Real Estate: Still a Cultural Stronghold
For decades, real estate has been the cornerstone of Indian wealth creation. In 2025, around 40% of Indian HNIs continue to allocate significant portions of their portfolios to residential and commercial properties, driven by both emotional security and legacy planning.
However, the focus is shifting from purely residential assets in India to diversified real estate portfolios, including overseas properties in Dubai, London, and Singapore, as well as REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) offering more liquidity.
Equity Markets: A Rising Favorite
The growing maturity of Indian equity markets, coupled with robust IPO activity, has attracted more HNIs than ever. According to Kotak Wealth Management’s 2024 report, over 60% of HNIs now hold direct equity or managed equity portfolios, up from 45% five years ago.
HNIs are increasingly turning to professionally managed PMS (Portfolio Management Services), thematic equity funds, and international ETFs, aiming for higher returns and global diversification.
Alternative Investments: Private Equity & Venture Capital
India’s startup ecosystem has turned many first-generation entrepreneurs into angel investors and private market enthusiasts. In 2025, approximately 20% of HNI portfolios include allocations to private equity and venture capital, signaling a robust appetite for high-risk, high-reward opportunities.
These investments offer HNIs a chance to support emerging businesses, participate in early-stage growth stories, and diversify away from public markets.
Fixed Income & Structured Products: Stability with a Twist
While HNIs crave higher returns, capital preservation remains a priority. Fixed income continues to account for around 15–20% of HNI portfolios, but the instruments are evolving.
Traditional fixed deposits are giving way to tax-free bonds, market-linked debentures, and customized structured products that offer downside protection while capturing equity market upsides.
Gold & Precious Metals: Emotional and Strategic
Gold has always been more than an asset in India; it's a tradition. In 2025, HNIs continue to hold 5–8% of their portfolios in gold and other precious metals, often as a hedge against inflation and currency volatility.
Interestingly, HNIs are exploring digital gold and global precious metal ETFs as more efficient, liquid ways to maintain this strategic allocation.
Philanthropy & Impact Investing: Growing Consciousness
Beyond wealth creation, HNIs are becoming increasingly focused on legacy and impact. According to Bain & Company, nearly 30% of Indian HNIs plan to increase their allocation to philanthropy and impact-focused investments over the next three years.
This includes green bonds, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) funds, and direct investments in social enterprises — reflecting a shift toward purpose-driven wealth management.
🌟 Final Thoughts
The 2025 investment landscape for Indian HNIs is characterized by dynamic diversification — a blend of tradition and innovation. While real estate and gold remain beloved, there is an unmistakable shift toward equities, global assets, private markets, and impact-driven opportunities.
For wealth managers and advisors, this presents a tremendous opportunity to craft holistic, globally integrated strategies that resonate with the evolving values and aspirations of India’s affluent.
🚀 Want to better understand India’s emerging HNIs?
Affluense.ai delivers reputation intelligence and deep wealth insights to help you engage with India’s most influential individuals and families. Discover more at Affluense.ai.