Why in News?
NITI Aayog released its first-ever Investment Friendliness Index to benchmark states and Union Territories on reforms for attracting private investment.
Key Points
The index assesses 28 states and 8 Union Territories using 84 indicators across 8 pillars.
The pillars include infrastructure, business climate, resources, government policy, regulatory ease, institutional environment, financial health and environmental resilience.
🥇 Gujarat: Top rank overall (Score: 56.6).
🥈 Maharashtra: Second position (Score: 53.7).
🥉 Tamil Nadu: Third position (Score: 53.3).
Uttarakhand led the hilly and North-Eastern category, while Goa ranked first among UTs and city states.
Uttar Pradesh is ranked 19th classified as a Frontrunner. (Categories include Top Performers, Frontrunners, Emerging Performers, and Aspiring States)
Exam Connect
NITI Aayog → established 1 January 2015 → replaced Planning Commission → Government of India's policy think tank → Prime Minister = ex-officio Chairperson → headquarters New Delhi