Reports IndicesSaturday, 18 July 2026·The Hindu - Economy
NITI Aayog’s first Investment Friendliness Index 2026: Gujarat tops major States, Tamil Nadu ranks third
NITI Aayog’s first Investment Friendliness Index 2026 placed Gujarat first among 17 major States, with Tamil Nadu at third place.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, NITI Aayog’s first Investment Friendliness Index placed Gujarat first with 56.6 points, Maharashtra second with 53.7, and Tamil Nadu third with 53.3 among 17 major States.
Key specifics
- The index assessed 17 major States across 84 indicators.
- It covered 8 pillars, including policy and governance, infrastructure, business facilitation and fiscal management.
- Gujarat’s score was 56.6, while Maharashtra scored 53.7 and Tamil Nadu 53.3.
- Gujarat’s estimated expressway length was 635 km, and nearly 7% of India’s railway network passes through the State.
- Gujarat had 614 Atal Tinkering Labs by FY2025, or 1.24 ATLs per one lakh population.
Exam lens
TNPSC report-and-index question: match the State with the rank and score, remember 17 States, 84 indicators, 8 pillars, and Tamil Nadu’s 53.3 points. A likely one-liner: “Which State topped NITI Aayog’s first Investment Friendliness Index 2026?”