Export Preparedness Index 2024 Shows How Indian States Are Driving Export Growth

New Delhi: NITI Aayog on January 14, 2026, released the Export Preparedness Index 2024, presenting a detailed evaluation of export readiness across India’s states and union territories. The Export Preparedness Index 2024 focuses on how effectively sub-national regions are positioned to contribute to India’s expanding role in global trade, especially at a time of rising international uncertainty.

Briefing the media in New Delhi, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam underlined that India’s export growth story is increasingly being shaped at the state and district levels. He stressed that long-term competitiveness will depend on stronger export infrastructure, better cost efficiency, resilient institutions, and policy frameworks that are transparent, predictable, and business-friendly.

Export Preparedness Index 2024 Highlights Role of States

According to the assessment, strengthening export readiness at the sub-national level is essential for sustaining long-term economic growth, generating employment, reducing regional imbalances, and integrating India more deeply into global value chains. The Index underscores that states and districts are no longer peripheral players but central drivers of India’s export performance.

Mr Subrahmanyam noted that improving export preparedness across regions will help India withstand global volatility while ensuring inclusive development. The approach, he said, aligns exports with broader development objectives rather than viewing them solely through a national lens.

Leading States and Union Territories in the Rankings

The Export Preparedness Index 2024 is built around four core pillars and further divided into 13 sub-pillars, offering a granular, evidence-based framework to assess export ecosystems. Among large states, Maharashtra emerged as a top performer, joined by Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.

In the category covering small states, northeastern states, and union territories, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Goa were identified as leading performers. These rankings reflect differences in infrastructure, institutional capacity, policy support, and sectoral strengths across regions.

Structural Challenges and Policy Opportunities Identified

Beyond rankings, the Index plays a diagnostic role by identifying structural bottlenecks that limit export competitiveness at the state and district levels. It highlights key growth levers and policy opportunities that governments can use to strengthen export ecosystems, improve resilience, and broaden participation.

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The report also recognises the diversity of India’s sub-national economic structures, noting that tailored strategies are essential to unlock export potential across manufacturing, agriculture, and services.

Export Preparedness Index 2024 and India’s Global Trade Ambitions

By providing a consistent and data-driven benchmark, the Index supports cooperative and competitive federalism among states. Policymakers believe it will serve as a practical tool for aligning state-level reforms with India’s larger global trade ambitions.

As global trade dynamics evolve, the findings of the Export Preparedness Index 2024 are expected to guide future reforms, investments, and institutional strengthening efforts aimed at making India a more competitive and reliable export hub.