Odisha has achieved a landmark recognition by securing a place among the top five states in NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index 2026. With 52.4 points, Odisha ranked fifth, standing tall as the only state from Eastern and Northern India to feature in the elite list.
Gujarat topped the index with 56.6 points, followed by Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Goa.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was felicitated today at Lok Seva Bhawan by leading industrialists, representatives, and industry associations who hailed Team Odisha’s collective efforts. “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,” said the Chief Minister.
Highlighting rapid progress, he noted that Odisha has already crossed ₹3 lakh crore in investments within two years, against a five-year target of ₹5 lakh crore. Over 453 projects have been approved, promising ₹9.5 lakh crore in investments and creating 2.5 million employment opportunities across districts.
Industry leaders, including representatives from CII and ICC, praised Odisha’s transformation under strong leadership, stating that the state is no longer just a “land of possibilities” but a “land of performance.” Ministers and officials echoed the sentiment, emphasising the collaborative spirit driving industrialisation and IT growth in Odisha.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s support and the state’s accelerated pace, Odisha is poised to climb even higher in the national rankings, with industry bodies predicting a second-place finish in the near future.
