Gujarat secured the top position in NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index, followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, reflecting strong infrastructure, financial health and ease of doing business.
Highlights
- Gujarat ranked first in NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index.
- Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu secured the second and third spots.
- Gujarat excelled in infrastructure, financial health and regulatory ease.
- The index evaluates investment-friendly policies across states and UTs.
- NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri released the report.
- Lahiri stressed that higher investments are essential for boosting economic growth and demand.
Gujarat has emerged as India’s most investment-friendly state in the latest Investment Friendliness Index released by NITI Aayog. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu followed closely, securing the second and third positions, respectively.
According to the report, Gujarat’s top ranking was driven by its strong performance in key areas such as infrastructure development, financial health and regulatory ease. These factors have helped create a business-friendly environment that continues to attract domestic and global investors.
The Investment Friendliness Index assesses states and Union Territories on various parameters that influence investment decisions, including policy stability, infrastructure, governance, financial management and ease of doing business.
Releasing the report in New Delhi, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri said India needs to increase its investment rate to accelerate economic growth. He noted that the country’s current investment rate is around 25% and emphasized that higher investments not only expand production capacity but also generate employment and strengthen consumer demand.
The report highlights the growing competition among states to improve their investment climate through reforms, faster approvals and better infrastructure. Such rankings are expected to encourage states to adopt more investor-friendly policies and improve governance standards.
With Gujarat retaining its leadership position, the report reinforces the state’s reputation as one of India’s preferred destinations for manufacturing, infrastructure projects and industrial investments.
