NITI Aayog releases Export Preparedness Index 2024; Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat among leading large states
NITI Aayog released the fourth edition of the Export Preparedness Index (EPI 2024) on 14 January 2026, assessing the export readiness of States and UTs across four pillars, 13 sub-pillars and 70 indicators.
Summary
The Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024, the fourth edition of NITI Aayog's assessment of the export readiness of States and Union Territories, was released on 14 January 2026; the first edition came out in August 2020. The index uses four pillars — Export Infrastructure, Business Ecosystem, Policy & Governance and Export Performance — split into 13 sub-pillars and 70 indicators, and groups States/UTs as Leaders, Challengers and Aspirers. Leading performers among large states are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh; among small states, North Eastern states and UTs they are Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, and Goa. The index is aligned with the goal of US$1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030.
Key facts
- Index
- Export Preparedness Index 2024 (4th edition; first in August 2020)
- Framework
- 4 pillars, 13 sub-pillars, 70 indicators
- Pillars
- Export Infrastructure, Business Ecosystem, Policy & Governance, Export Performance
- Classes
- Leaders, Challengers, Aspirers
- Leading large states
- Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
- Leading small/NE states & UTs
- Uttarakhand, J&K, Nagaland, DNH & DD, Goa
- Target
- US$1 trillion merchandise exports by 2030
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Export Preparedness Index 2024, released in January 2026, is which edition of the index?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Fourth
PIB (NITI Aayog): the first edition of the EPI was published in August 2020 and EPI 2024 is the 4th edition.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four pillars of the Export Preparedness Index 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Research & Innovation
PIB (NITI Aayog): the four pillars are Export Infrastructure, Business Ecosystem, Policy & Governance and Export Performance.
Which of the following was NOT listed among the leading performers in the 'Large States' category of the Export Preparedness Index 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Karnataka
PIB (NITI Aayog): the leading large states were Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka was not in the list.