OTHERS (MISC)
Rankings
NITI Aayog Releases Investment Friendliness Index to Benchmark State Ecosystems
NITI Aayog has unveiled the Investment Friendliness Index (IFI), a novel tool designed to evaluate and rank states based on their business environments.
The evaluation is based on five core pillars: infrastructure, business climate, financial health, regulatory frameworks, and proactive government policies.
Based on overall scores, states are divided into four tiers: Top Performers (score > 50), Frontrunners (45-50), Emerging Performers (40-45), and Aspiring States (score < 40).
Under peer-group classification, Gujarat topped the 'Large States' category, Uttarakhand emerged first among 'Hilly and North-Eastern States', and Goa secured the lead among 'City States & UTs'.
In the comprehensive assessment, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Odisha were recognized as the overall Top Performers in the index.
The evaluation is based on five core pillars: infrastructure, business climate, financial health, regulatory frameworks, and proactive government policies.
Based on overall scores, states are divided into four tiers: Top Performers (score > 50), Frontrunners (45-50), Emerging Performers (40-45), and Aspiring States (score < 40).
Under peer-group classification, Gujarat topped the 'Large States' category, Uttarakhand emerged first among 'Hilly and North-Eastern States', and Goa secured the lead among 'City States & UTs'.
In the comprehensive assessment, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Odisha were recognized as the overall Top Performers in the index.
Key Facts / Static GK
NITI Aayog Formed: January 1, 2015
NITI Aayog Headquarters: New Delhi
NITI Aayog Chairperson: Narendra Modi
NITI Aayog Vice-Chairperson: Ashok Lahiri
NITI Aayog Headquarters: New Delhi
NITI Aayog Chairperson: Narendra Modi
NITI Aayog Vice-Chairperson: Ashok Lahiri
Practice Quiz — 18 July 2026
Q1. On which railway section has India's first hydrogen-powered train been launched?
Answer: (A) Jind-Sonipat section — India's first hydrogen-powered train will initially operate on the Jind-Sonipat section of the Northern Railway in Haryana.
Q2. Which state secured the first rank among the 'Large States' category in the newly released NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index?
Answer: (C) Gujarat — Among the Large States category, Gujarat secured the first rank in the NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index.
Q3. Who has succeeded Iqbal Singh Lalpura as the new Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM)?
Answer: (A) Harjit Singh Grewal — Harjit Singh Grewal has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities, succeeding Iqbal Singh Lalpura whose tenure ended in April 2025.
Q4. GAIL has signed an MoU with which organization to collaborate on sourcing and securing strategic critical minerals?
Answer: (A) Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) — GAIL (India) Limited signed an MoU with Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) to strengthen collaboration in sourcing critical minerals.
Q5. At which location did the Indian Navy receive its 21st MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopter from the United States?
Answer: (A) Kochi, Kerala — The 21st MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopter was delivered to the Indian Navy at Kochi, Kerala.
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