In January 2026, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog released the 4th edition of the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024 a comprehensive assessment of the export readiness and performance of Indian States and Union Territories (UTs) at an event held in New Delhi, Delhi.
- Maharashtra has emerged as the top-ranked large state with 68.01 Score, followed by Tamil Nadu (TN) with 64.41 and Gujarat with 64.02, while among the smaller states, Uttarakhand holds the top position with 52.07, followed by Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with 51.08 and Nagaland with 46.42
Exam Hints:
- What? Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024 released
- By Whom? CEO BVR Subrahmanyam, NITI Aayog
- Objective: Assess and strengthen export readiness at subnational level; support India’s goal of USD 1 trillion merchandise exports by 2030
- Coverage: All States and UTs; districts considered core units
- Ranking Categories: Leaders, Challengers, Aspirers
- Top Large States: Maharashtra, TN, Gujarat, UP, AP
- Top Small States/UTs: Uttarakhand, J&K, Nagaland, DNHDD, Goa
About Export Preparedness Index 2024:
Edition: The 2024 report is the fourth edition of the EPI, while its inaugural edition was launched in August 2020.
Methodology: Export performance for Financial Year 2021-22 (FY2022)–FY 2024 is assessed using an indicator-based, normalized, and weighted methodology, enhanced in 2024 for greater robustness, comparability, and policy relevance.
Objective: Promotes competitive federalism, evaluates export performance and potential, and helps states identify structural gaps in their export ecosystems.
Grouping: States and UTs are divided into Large States, Small States, North Eastern States, and UTs.
Categories: Entities are classified as Leaders (high preparedness), Challengers (moderate preparedness), or Aspirers (early-stage ecosystem development) within their peer groups.
Purpose: Provides an evidence-based tool to support India’s goal of USD 1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030.
Key Pillars and Framework:
Pillars: The EPI 2024 is structured around 4 pillars, 13 sub-pillars, and 70 indicators.
Pillar 1 – Export Infrastructure (20% weightage): Assesses utilities, and trade & logistics infrastructure.
Pillar 2 – Business Ecosystem (40% weightage): Evaluates macroeconomy, cost competitiveness, human capital, finance access, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) ecosystem, and industrial environment.
Pillar 3 – Policy & Governance (20% weightage): Analyses state export policy, institutional capacity, and trade facilitation.
Pillar 4 – Export Performance (20% weightage): Measures export outcomes, diversification, and global integration.
Top 5 Performing States and Union Territories in EPI 2024:
| Category | Large States | Small States | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | States | Score | States | Score |
| 1 | Maharashtra | 68.01 | Uttarakhand | 52.07 |
| 2 | Tamil Nadu (TN) | 64.41 | Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) | 51.08 |
| 3 | Gujarat | 64.02 | Nagaland | 46.42 |
| 4 | Uttar Pradesh (UP) | 62.09 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu (DNHDD) | 46.24 |
| 5 | Andhra Pradesh (AP) | 60.65 | Goa | 44.60 |
About National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog:
NITI Aayog was established on January 01, 2015 replacing the Planning Commission of India. It serves as the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India (GoI).
Chairman – Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment – 2015
