NITI Aayog's IFI 2026: Gujarat Leads Among All Large States

NITI Aayog's IFI 2026: Gujarat Leads Among All Large States

• Report: Investment Friendliness Index [IFI 2026] released by NITI Aayog - data-driven framework to assess states/UTs in attracting and sustaining investments.
• Top Overall: Gujarat - score 56.6, 1st among large states and overall.
• Top 3: Maharashtra 53.7, Tamil Nadu 53.3.[2nd][3rd]
• Top 5: Goa 4th [53.1], Odisha 5th [52.4]. Together account for 85% of total FDI inflows.
• Bottom 5: Lakshadweep lowest 24.5, Ladakh 35th [27.0], Andaman & Nicobar 34th [30.2], Manipur 33rd [32.3], Sikkim 32nd [36.6].
• Classification:
  • Top Performers - 5 States: Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, TN.
  • Frontrunners - 15 States/UTs: AP, Assam, Chandigarh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, HP etc.
  • Emerging - 8 States/UTs: Bihar, J&K, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Puducherry, Punjab, West Bengal.
• UPSC Relevance: GS3 - Economy, Investment, Ease of Doing Business, Competitive Federalism, FDI.