THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 23, 2026

Odisha has secured a place among the top five states in NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index 2026, prompting Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to describe the milestone as a stepping stone towards the state's larger economic ambitions. “This recognition is not just about investment — it is about economic growth. Our goal is to place Odisha among the top five states in overall economic development as well,” the Chief Minister said on Thursday.

With a score of 52.4 points, Odisha ranked fifth in the index, behind Gujarat (56.6), Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Goa, underscoring the state’s growing appeal as a preferred investment destination.

The Chief Minister was felicitated at Lok Seva Bhawan by leading industrialists, representatives of industry bodies and business associations, who credited the milestone to Team Odisha’s coordinated efforts in creating a robust investment ecosystem.

Highlighting the state’s investment momentum, Majhi said Odisha has already attracted more than ₹3 lakh crore in investments within just two years, achieving over 60 per cent of its five-year target of ₹5 lakh crore. He noted that the government has approved 453 projects involving proposed investments worth ₹9.5 lakh crore, which are expected to generate employment opportunities for nearly 2.5 million people across the state.

Industry leaders, including representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), hailed Odisha’s rapid industrial transformation under the present leadership. They said the state has evolved from being a “land of possibilities” to a “land of performance,” reflecting improved governance, faster project execution and an investor-friendly policy environment.

Senior ministers and government officials also welcomed the recognition, emphasising that close collaboration between the government and industry has accelerated industrialisation, strengthened the IT ecosystem and positioned Odisha as one of India’s fastest-emerging investment destinations.