THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JULY 18, 2026
Odisha has emerged as
one of India’s five most investment-friendly states, securing a coveted place
in the Top Performers category of the Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) 2026
released by NITI Aayog on July 17. With an overall score of 52.4, the state
joins Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Goa in leading the nation in
creating a robust and investor-friendly business ecosystem.
The Investment
Friendliness Index is India’s first comprehensive, evidence-based framework to
assess the investment ecosystem across all States and Union Territories.
Developed by NITI Aayog, the index evaluates performance across eight critical
pillars — Infrastructure, Business Climate, Resources, Government Policy,
Regulatory Ease, Institutional Environment, Financial Health and Environmental
Resilience — providing a benchmark for states while promoting competitive and
cooperative federalism.
The latest ranking
marks a significant milestone for Odisha’s economic transformation, reflecting
sustained reforms, policy stability and a strong focus on ease of doing
business. The recognition is expected to further enhance the state’s
attractiveness for domestic and global investors seeking a competitive and
growth-oriented destination.
Chief Minister Mohan
Charan Majhi described the achievement as a proud moment for every Odia,
stating that the recognition reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to
transparent governance, industry-friendly policies and efficient service
delivery. Expressing gratitude to industry partners for their continued
confidence in Odisha, he said the ranking is not the final destination but an
important milestone. The state, he added, will continue to pursue reforms,
strengthen infrastructure and build an even more enabling investment ecosystem
to position Odisha among the most preferred investment destinations in India
and across the world.
Echoing the Chief
Minister’s vision, Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education
Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said Odisha’s inclusion among the country’s top
five investment-friendly states is a strong endorsement of its reform-driven
industrial strategy. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan
Charan Majhi, the government remains committed to building a responsive,
transparent and globally competitive investment ecosystem. The state will
continue to accelerate industrial growth, facilitate faster project
implementation, nurture a skilled workforce and develop world-class
infrastructure, while inviting investors from around the globe to partner in
Odisha’s growth journey.
