JAIPUR: In a major national recognition of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma’s ongoing industrial push, Rajasthan has been categorized as a “Frontrunner State” in the latest Investment Friendliness Index released by NITI Aayog.
In the overall comprehensive ranking, Rajasthan secured the 10th position nationwide and the 8th position among all large states. Demonstrating exceptional progress in administrative overhauls, the state clinched the 2nd rank in the Simplification of Rules and the 3rd rank in Investment Promotion Policies within the large states category.
The index reflects the state government’s successful execution of structural reforms designed to enhance the ease of doing business, cut red tape, and build a resilient ecosystem for global and domestic investors.
Raj Nivesh Portal Drives Digital Red Tape Reduction
A core driver behind Rajasthan securing the 2nd national rank in regulatory ease is the digital fortification of the Raj Nivesh Portal. Currently, the single-window system integrates 190 diverse services across 18 government departments.
The portal’s operational efficiency is highlighted by its recent high-volume processing capabilities:
- FY 2025-26: Received a total of 34,704 investment-related applications.
- FY 2026-27 (Until June 30): Handled over 30,000 incoming applications within a single quarter, out of which more than 17,000 cases have already been fully resolved.
- Disposal Metrics: The overall resolution rate stands at 64%, rising to 68% for the 11 most heavily utilized primary services.
Furthermore, the average processing time for critical commercial approvals has dropped significantly. The average approval period for a new industrial electricity connection has been slashed from 20 days in the previous fiscal year to just 10 days. Similarly, clearances for tourism projects have dropped from 22 days to 16 days.
Rapid Policy Rollout Fuels Sectoral Diversification
Rajasthan’s 3rd place ranking in investment promotion policies stems from an aggressive rollout of more than 30 new industrial policies over the past two and a half years.
The government has successfully drafted sector-specific operational frameworks targeting high-growth industries. Meticulous guidelines have been established for standard sectors like MSMEs, Export Promotion, Textiles & Apparel, and Logistics.
Simultaneously, the administration has broken new ground by establishing dedicated, first-of-their-kind frameworks for next-generation technology and strategic manufacturing sectors, including:
- Clean Energy & Data Centers
- Global Capability Centers (GCCs)
- Semiconductors, Aerospace, and Defense manufacturing
‘Rising Rajasthan’ Grounding Hits ₹9 Lakh Crore
Unlike purely bureaucratic assessments, NITI Aayog’s index directly integrates first-hand feedback, perception surveys, and operational experiences from investors across India. The findings highlight a steady growth in investor trust regarding Rajasthan’s transparency and institutional reliability.
This sentiment is strongly backed by the execution velocity of the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit. The flagship summit concluded with formal investment Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) valued at over ₹35 lakh crore.
To ensure these proposals do not remain locked on paper, the state government has instituted a strict inter-departmental review and dispute-resolution mechanism. Consequently, projects worth nearly ₹9 lakh crore have already achieved ground-breaking status and entered active implementation phases.
About the NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index
Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadmap for a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Investment Friendliness Index was conceptualized during the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting in July 2024. Following a formal framework announcement in the Union Budget 2025-26, the index now serves as a benchmark tool evaluating state-level industrial ecosystems, driving competitive federalism across the country.
