Panaji: Goa has secured the 4th spot among 36 states and Union territories in Niti Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index 2026, scoring 53.1 overall and emerging as one of only five states nationally to be classified a “Top Performer” — those scoring above 50.The state also ranked first among seven city states and Union territories evaluated in the index.The Index assessed investment ecosystems across eight pillars: infrastructure, business climate, resources, regulatory ease, institutional environment, financial health, government policy and environmental resilience. Goa scored above the pillar average in seven of these eight categories.Regulatory ease emerged as Goa’s strongest pillar at 71%, followed by institutional environment at 66% and financial health at 61%. infrastructure and resources scored 56% each, while business climate stood at 42% and govt policy at 26% — both above the national pillar average, according to the report.The report said that Goa can enhance its institutional environment by addressing the impact of labour disruptions, which should help create a more stable and predictable business environment.“There is scope for improving the fiscal deficit, with Goa’s deficit at 6.7% of GDP in fiscal 2024, higher than that of its peers in the same category and more than double the range provided by the 15th Finance Commission,” the report said.The state recorded the highest expenditure as a percentage of GSDP on skilling and healthcare within its category, and ranked first in both STEM enrolment share and vocational-training capacity among comparable states, with nearly 25% of higher-education enrolment in STEM courses.Despite contributing only about 0.35% of India’s economic output, Goa’s two international airports account for nearly 3% of the country’s airport capacity. Goa’s port infrastructure, which includes dedicated terminals for containers, dry bulk and petroleum products, represents a similar 3% share of national port capacity.The state also recorded the highest share of renewable energy in its power mix among all states and Union territories, with transmission and distribution losses held at approximately 7%. According to the Niti Aayog, businesses surveyed for the index cited reliable power supply, connected road and rail networks, warehousing capacity and a readily available skilled workforce as key advantages.Chief minister Pramod Sawant said the ranking reflected the state’s sustained focus on infrastructure, human resource development, regulatory efficiency, connectivity and clean energy, adding that govt will continue building on the recognition to attract investment and generate employment for Goan youths.
