NITI Aayog Releases Export Preparedness Index :Top Performing States & Strategic Roadmap

NITI Aayog released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, a comprehensive assessment of export readiness across India’s States and Union Territories (UTs). The Index recognises the diversity of subnational economic structures and their critical role in advancing India’s global trade ambitions.

The first edition of the EPI was published in August 2020 and this is the 4th edition. Aligned with India’s objective of achieving USD 1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030 and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, the Export Preparedness Index provides an evidence-based framework to evaluate the strength, resilience, and inclusiveness of subnational export ecosystems.

Pillars of Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024

The Four Pillars of Export Preparedness.The EPI 2024 is built upon a robust framework of four pillars, further divided into 13 sub-pillars and 70 indicators. This edition introduced new dimensions such as macroeconomic stability, human capital, and the MSME ecosystem to provide a more holistic view of competitiveness.

Top Performing States and UTs

The 2024 report categorizes regions into Leaders, Challengers, and Aspirers to encourage peer learning. 

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Top Performing States and Union Territories:

Based on the overall assessment under EPI 2024, the following States and UTs have emerged as leading performers in their respective categories:

Leading Performers – Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024

A. Large States

1. Maharashtra

2. Tamil Nadu

3. Gujarat

4. Uttar Pradesh

5. Andhra Pradesh

B. Small States, North Eastern States & Union Territories

1. Uttarakhand

2. Jammu and Kashmir

3. Nagaland

4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu

5. Goa

Strategic Focus: Districts as Export Hubs

A defining feature of the EPI 2024 is the shift toward districts as the core units of competitiveness. By translating national trade objectives into "place-based" strategies, NITI Aayog aims to leverage local industrial clusters and unique regional products (such as the ODOP scheme) to drive volume and quality.

Key Insights and Future Outlook

• Quality over Quantity: emphasized that global competitiveness is now dictated by product quality and adherence to international standards.

• MSME Integration: The 2024 index places a higher premium on how states support small businesses in accessing credit and international markets.

• Infrastructure Resilience: Improving cost competitiveness through better "plug-and-play" industrial parks and streamlined logistics remains a priority for "Aspirer" states.

Source: PIB

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