Maharashtra Tops EPI 2024 Among Large States, Uttarakhand Leads Small States

Updated: 16 Jan 2026

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Maharashtra Tops EPI 2024 Among Large States, Uttarakhand Leads Small States

In the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024 released by NITI Aayog, Maharashtra got the top position in the category of large states, and Uttarakhand got the top position in the category of small states, northeastern states and union territories.

NITI Aayog released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, which is a comprehensive assessment of export preparedness across India’s states and union territories (UTs).
This index recognizes the diversity of sub-national economic structures and their important role in advancing India’s global trade ambitions.
While releasing the report, B. V. R. Subrahmanyam emphasized that as India is expanding its network of free trade and economic partnership agreements, strong domestic foundations have become necessary. He said that states should build competitive ecosystems at the district level, align with global standards and respond quickly to emerging export opportunities.

Objective and parameters of the Export Preparedness Index

The first edition of EPI was published in August, 2020 and this is the fourth edition.
In line with India’s objective of achieving USD 1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030 and the vision of Developed India @2047, the Export Preparedness Index provides an evidence-based framework to assess the strength, resilience and inclusiveness of sub-national export ecosystems.
Key pillars and indicators: Structured around four pillars, which are further divided into 13 sub-pillars and 70 indicators. Pillars and weightage: Export Infrastructure (20%), Business Ecosystem (40%), Policy and Governance (20%) and Export Performance (20%)
Sub-indicators: Trade and logistics infrastructure, human capital etc.

Leading states based on overall assessment under EPI 2024

In the category of large states, the top positions are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh.
B. Small states, northeastern states and union territories – Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa
C. Top challenger states among large states are Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala and West Bengal.
D. In the aspirers category, states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Jharkhand were placed at the bottom, which shows the need for focused policy intervention.
E. In the challenger category among UTs, Delhi was at 12th place, which comes along with Meghalaya, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.