New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Odisha has emerged as the fourth most investment-friendly large state in the NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index, behind Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, according to the report released Friday.
Gujarat topped the rankings among large states with an overall score of 56.6, followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Odisha was ranked fourth, ahead of Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, according to the report.
The index evaluates all 28 states and eight Union Territories across eight parameters — infrastructure, business climate, resources, government policy, regulatory ease, institutional environment, financial health and environment resilience.
The rankings are divided into three categories — large states, hilly and northeastern states, and city states and Union Territories. Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal were the lowest-ranked large states, while Uttarakhand, Assam and Himachal Pradesh topped the hilly and northeastern states category.
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri said the index, announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, aims to strengthen competitive and cooperative federalism by promoting reforms and fostering a conducive investment ecosystem across states.
PNN & Agencies