Ahmedabad: Gujarat has emerged as India’s most investment-friendly major State, topping NITI Aayog’s first-ever Investment Friendliness Index 2026, according to a report released by the Chief Minister’s Office on Saturday.
The State secured 56.6 points, ahead of Maharashtra at 53.7 points and Tamil Nadu at 53.3 points. The assessment covered 17 major States.
The index evaluates States across 84 indicators grouped under eight pillars that track the entire investment lifecycle. The pillars include policy and governance, infrastructure, business facilitation, and fiscal management.
The ranking highlights Gujarat’s strengths in regulatory ease, infrastructure, and investor support systems. Officials credited initiatives like GIFT City in Gandhinagar and continued policy reforms for boosting the State’s score.
With the first edition of the index, NITI Aayog aims to create a benchmark for States to improve competitiveness and attract both domestic and foreign investment.
