Why is it in the news?
→ NITI Aayog released EPI 2024 assessing export readiness of States/UTs.
→ Linked to USD 1 trillion merchandise export target by 2030 and Viksit Bharat @2047.
Category: Economy
Important Points
- EPI launched in 2020; evaluates State and district export preparedness.
- Framework: 4 pillars, 13 sub-pillars, 70 indicators.
- Pillars: Export Infrastructure, Business Ecosystem, Policy & Governance, Export Performance.
- The Business Ecosystem carries the highest weightage (40%); others 20% each.
- States grouped as Large States, Small States, North-Eastern States, and UTs.
- Categories: Leaders, Challengers, Aspirers.
- Top Large States: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh.
- Leading Small/NE/UTs: Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Goa.
- Emphasises district-led exports, MSMEs, infrastructure, competitiveness, and cluster strategies.