Bhubaneswar: Odisha has achieved a major milestone in its industrial growth story by securing a place among the top five states in the NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index 2026, emerging as the only state from eastern and northern India to feature in the elite group.
The latest ranking places Gujarat at the top of the index, while Odisha has secured the fifth position with a score of 52.4, reflecting the state’s sustained efforts to improve the investment climate through policy reforms, infrastructure development and business-friendly governance.
The recognition is being viewed as a significant endorsement of Odisha’s transformation into one of India’s most attractive investment destinations, particularly at a time when the state is aggressively pursuing industrial expansion and large-scale investments across sectors.
According to the index, Odisha’s strong performance stems from improvements in investment facilitation, ease of doing business, regulatory reforms and institutional support for industries. The state has also emerged as the highest-ranked performer from eastern and northern India, reflecting its growing competitiveness in attracting domestic and global investors.
The ranking comes against the backdrop of the Mohan Charan Majhi government’s push to position Odisha as a preferred investment hub through faster project clearances, modern industrial infrastructure, transparent governance and investor-centric policies. Over the past year, the government has intensified efforts to simplify approval processes, strengthen industrial ecosystems and expedite the implementation of major investment proposals.
The achievement drew an enthusiastic response from the state’s industry fraternity. Leading industrialists and representatives of industry associations felicitated Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday, describing the ranking as recognition of Odisha’s improving investment ecosystem and expressing confidence in the government’s industry-friendly approach.
Industry leaders said Odisha is steadily setting new benchmarks in industrial development under the present dispensation, with the state attracting fresh investments across manufacturing, mining, green energy, logistics and allied sectors. They noted that the government’s proactive engagement with investors and emphasis on policy stability have enhanced investor confidence.
Receiving the felicitation, the Chief Minister termed the recognition a landmark in Odisha’s economic journey and said it would further energise the state’s development agenda.
“This recognition reinforces our resolve to accelerate industrialisation, attract higher investments and position Odisha among India’s top five performing economies,” Majhi said, reiterating the government’s commitment to creating a globally competitive business environment.
Officials believe the latest ranking is likely to further enhance Odisha’s credibility among domestic and international investors, complementing the state’s ambitious investment promotion initiatives and reinforcing its emergence as one of India’s fastest-growing industrial destinations.
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