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NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index 2026: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu Top Performers

EconomyPolityInfrastructureHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
25 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Top performers: 5 statesFrontrunners: 15 statesEmerging performers: 8 states/UTsAspiring states: 8 states/UTsFDI 85% in 5 statesNortheast FDI <1%
Bodies:NITI Aayog
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What This Article Covers

1.NITI Aayog launched Investment Friendliness Index 2026 covering all 28 states and 8 UTs, evaluating them on 8 pillars including Infrastructure, Business Climate, and Regulatory Ease.

2.Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Odisha are top performers; 15 states are frontrunners. Notably, 5 states attract 85% of FDI while Northeastern states get less than 1%.

3.The Fiscal Health Index 2026 ranks Odisha, Goa, and Jharkhand as top achievers, while Punjab, West Bengal, and Kerala remain at the bottom.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index 2026 and Fiscal Health Index 2026 are pivotal for understanding state-level investment attractiveness and fiscal discipline. For UPSC/State PSC aspirants, these indices offer direct Prelims facts (top states, categories, pillars) and Mains fodder on competitive federalism and regional divergence.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Top Performers (IFI 2026)Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Odisha
Number of Pillars (IFI)8
FHI 2026 Top AchieverOdisha
FDI Concentration (5 states)85%
Northeastern FDI ShareLess than 1%

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Top Performers (IFI 2026): Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Odisha
  • ›Number of Pillars (IFI): 8
  • ›Target this Data: Top 5 states in Investment Friendliness Index 2026: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Odisha
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: NITI Aayog (released both indices)
  • ›Target this Index: Investment Friendliness Index 2026 and Fiscal Health Index 2026

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which institution released the Investment Friendliness Index 2026 and the Fiscal Health Index 2026?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Investment Friendliness Index 2026:

1. The index covers all 28 states and 8 union territories.

2. It uses 5 pillars to evaluate states.

3. Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu are among the top performers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the Investment Friendliness Index 2026, how many states are classified as 'Top Performers'?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the Investment Friendliness Index as per the article?

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