Jan 14: NITI Aayog has released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, offering a comprehensive evaluation of export readiness across India’s States and Union Territories (UTs). Now in its fourth edition since its inception in August 2020, the Index recognises the diversity of subnational economic structures and highlights their decisive role in advancing India’s global trade ambitions.
Aligned with India’s objective of achieving USD 1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030 and the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, the EPI 2024 provides an evidence-based framework to assess the strength, resilience, and inclusiveness of export ecosystems at the State and district levels. It identifies critical structural challenges, growth levers, and policy opportunities required to enhance export competitiveness in an increasingly volatile global environment.
At the release of the Index, the CEO of NITI Aayog underlined that India’s export trajectory is being increasingly shaped by the preparedness of States and districts. He stressed the importance of strengthening export infrastructure, improving cost competitiveness, building robust institutions, and fostering predictable and transparent policy environments. Enhancing export readiness at the subnational level, he noted, is essential for sustaining long-term economic growth, generating employment, reducing regional disparities, and deepening India’s integration into global value chains.
Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member, NITI Aayog, highlighted the crucial role of States and UTs in sustaining and amplifying export momentum. He emphasised the need for States to identify their inherent strengths, address structural gaps, and design targeted strategies to leverage emerging trade opportunities. Reiterating the Prime Minister’s call, Dr. Virmani stressed that quality of products remains central to global competitiveness.
Framework and Coverage
The Export Preparedness Index 2024 is built on a robust framework comprising four pillars, further disaggregated into 13 sub-pillars and 70 indicators, enabling a granular, policy-relevant assessment of export preparedness:
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Export Infrastructure
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Business Ecosystem
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Policy & Governance
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Export Performance
Key areas assessed include trade and logistics infrastructure, connectivity and utilities, access to finance, human capital, industrial and MSME ecosystems, trade facilitation, export diversification, and global integration. The 2024 edition enhances analytical depth by introducing refined indicators on macroeconomic stability, cost competitiveness, financial access, and human capital, improving both precision and policy relevance.
A notable shift in this edition is the increased emphasis on districts as the core units of export competitiveness, translating national export goals into actionable, place-based strategies anchored in local capabilities, industrial clusters, and value-chain linkages.
Classification of States and UTs
For comparative assessment and peer learning, States and UTs have been grouped into Large States, Small States, North Eastern States, and Union Territories. Within each category, they are further classified as Leaders, Challengers, and Aspirers, reflecting varying levels of export ecosystem development.
Methodology
The EPI 2024 follows a data-driven, indicator-based methodology, drawing on official datasets from Central Ministries, State Governments, and public institutions. Indicators are normalised and aggregated using statistical techniques, with balanced weightages assigned across pillars to reflect their relative contribution to export preparedness. Methodological refinements aim to enhance robustness, comparability, and policy utility.
Top Performing States and UTs
Based on the overall assessment, the leading performers under EPI 2024 are:
Large States:
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
Small States, North Eastern States & UTs:
Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, Goa
These regions have demonstrated stronger export infrastructure, supportive business ecosystems, effective governance frameworks, and diversified export portfolios.
By offering a clear, data-backed roadmap, the Export Preparedness Index 2024 serves as a vital policy tool to strengthen India’s export capabilities from the grassroots, ensuring more balanced, resilient, and inclusive trade-led growth.
