Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa has been ranked among the five most investment-friendly states and Union Territories in the country, securing the 4th position in NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index 2026. The state also emerged as the top-performing City State and Union Territory, with an overall score of 53.1.
The index assessed the investment ecosystem across 36 States and Union Territories based on eight key pillars, including infrastructure, business climate, resources, regulatory ease, institutional environment, financial health, government policy and environmental resilience. Goa was one of only five states and UTs to score above 50, earning the distinction of being a national “Top Performer.”
Goa’s strongest performance came in Regulatory Ease, where it scored 71%, followed by Institutional Environment (66%), Financial Health (61%), and Infrastructure and Resources (56% each). The state also performed above the national average in Business Climate and Government Policy, recording above-average scores in seven of the eight pillars evaluated.
The report highlighted Goa’s emphasis on human capital, noting that the state recorded the highest expenditure on skilling and healthcare as a percentage of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) within its category. Nearly 25% of higher education enrolment is in STEM disciplines, while Goa ranked first among City States and Union Territories in both STEM enrolment share and vocational training capacity.
Goa’s infrastructure also received recognition, with its two international airports accounting for nearly 3% of India’s airport capacity. The state’s ports similarly contribute around 3% of the country’s total port capacity and include dedicated facilities for containers, dry bulk cargo and petroleum products.
The report further noted that Goa has the highest share of renewable energy in its power mix among all States and Union Territories while maintaining transmission and distribution losses at around 7%. Businesses surveyed also cited reliable power supply, robust transport connectivity, warehousing facilities and the availability of a skilled workforce as key advantages.
The state government credited the achievement to sustained efforts under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to strengthen infrastructure, improve regulatory efficiency, enhance connectivity, promote clean energy and build a future-ready investment ecosystem.
Officials said the recognition reinforces Goa’s position as a preferred investment destination and reflects the government’s commitment to attracting responsible investments, generating quality employment and creating greater opportunities for Goan youth.
