More Stories

Informist, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – Maharashtra has topped the Export Preparedness Index 2024, according to a report compiled by the NITI Aayog. However, the think-tank has raised concern over expensive industrial land, costly logistics, and rising energy tariffs, particularly in urban hubs like Mumbai, Pune, and Thane, saying these are hampering Maharashtra's export potential by reducing its cost competitiveness in global markets. This has prompted some businesses to consider relocating to more cost-effective regions, NITI Aayog said in the report.

 

With a total score of 68.01, Maharashtra pipped Tamil Nadu to the top spot, NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer B.V.R. Subrahmanyam said Wednesday. The southern state had topped the list in the previous edition of the index.

 

As per the index, in the financial year 2023-24 (Apr-Mar), Maharashtra retained its position as India's second-largest exporting state, recording merchandise exports worth INR 5.3 trillion, led by gems and jewellery, engineering goods, electronics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Major export hubs such as Mumbai, Pune, and Thane together account for nearly 74% of the state's exports, supported by robust infrastructure, including air cargo terminals, free trade zones, and strategic seaports such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, it said.

 

However, according to the report, infrastructure reliability "remains a concern in underdeveloped districts, where frequent power outages, voltage fluctuations, and irregular water supply hinder operations in energy- and water-intensive sectors such as textiles, food processing, and chemicals".

 

Moreover, districts like Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, and Washim remain under-industrialised, with limited logistics support and shortage of skilled labour. "This regional imbalance restricts equitable growth and limits the state's ability to broaden its export base," the NITI Aayog said in the report.

 

The Export Preparedness Index evaluated states and Union territories on 70 parameters across four pillars--export infrastructure, business ecosystem, policy and governance, and export performance.

 

Among large states, Uttar Pradesh showed remarkable improvement and moved to the fourth position, just behind Gujarat, from seventh in the previous assessment in FY22. "Uttar Pradesh has focused on creating a conducive environment for industrial and MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprises) growth," according to the report. "The state's MSME sector has seen rapid expansion, with 1.4 million new units established in FY24, marking a 4.79% growth over FY23."

 

Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, and Telangana are the others among the top eight large states in the "leader" category of the index. Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, and West Bengal have been classified in the "challenger" category. Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Jharkhand have been ranked in the "aspirer" category.  End

 

Reported by Asim Khan

Edited by Rajeev Pai

 

For users of real-time market data terminals, Informist news is available exclusively on the NSE Cogencis WorkStation.

 

Cogencis news is now Informist news. This follows the acquisition of Cogencis Information Services Ltd. by NSE Data & Analytics Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. As a part of the transaction, the news department of Cogencis has been sold to Informist Media Pvt. Ltd.

 

Informist Media Tel +91 (22) 6985-4000

Send comments to feedback@informistmedia.com

 

© Informist Media Pvt. Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved.