.Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have emerged as the top three states in NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index for states and Union Territories. According to the index report released on Friday, The Index evaluates key policy, institutional, regulatory, and infrastructure-related parameters that influence investment decisions and provides a comparative assessment of the investment ecosystem across States and Union Territories. Gujarat topped the chart due to its strong performance in the infrastructure sector, financial health and regulatory ease. Releasing the report, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri said investment rate in India is around 25 per cent. "India needs more investments as it also boosts demand," Lahiri added.
Delhi: NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri says, "When you invest, you buy machines that have been produced by some people; they get income, and they spend. When you build a bridge, the bridge builders get money, and they spend. So, investment is not a useless thing. Even… pic.twitter.com/005WiBBKtx
— IANS (@ians_india) July 17, 2026
NITI Aayog CEO Nidhi Chhibber said, the index is not intended to be merely a ranking exercise. It is designed as a practical reform tool that enables states to benchmark their performance, identify priority areas for improvement, and learn from one another's best practices. It seeks to promote healthy competition by fostering collaboration and the exchange of knowledge.
(State Correspondent)
Ira Singh





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