IN NEWS: Multiple States recognised as ‘Top Achievers’ in Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) under BRAP 2024
Introduction
Several Indian States and Union Territories including Kerala, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Haryana have been recognised as ‘Top Achievers’ in the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rankings 2024 under the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) framework. The recognitions were conferred during Udyog Samagam 2025, highlighting India’s push towards reform-driven, investor-friendly governance at the state level.
ANALYSIS
National Framework: BRAP 2024
The Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2024, implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, serves as the core evaluation mechanism:
- Covers 25 reform areas
- Includes 434 reform action points
- Based on:
- 70% user feedback
- 30% evidence-based verification
- Supported by:
- 5.8 lakh businesses
- 1.3 lakh detailed interviews
This ensures real-time validation of reforms, making rankings more credible and outcome-based.
State-wise Performance Overview
| State / UT | Category / Rank | Key Highlights |
|---|
| Kerala | Best Performer / Fast Movers | ~99–99.9% reforms, consistent top performance |
| Rajasthan | Top Achiever | Strong performance in business entry, labour, environment, services |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Top Achiever (5th Rank) | Top score in 4/5 critical reform areas |
| Haryana | Top Achiever | Focus on deregulation, labour reforms, digital governance |
Key Reform Areas Covered
- Business entry and approvals
- Land administration and CLU reforms
- Labour regulation and flexibility
- Environmental clearances
- Utility permits and services sector reforms
These areas collectively determine the ease, speed, and transparency of doing business.
State-specific Reform Insights
Rajasthan
- Recognised for four key reform areas
- Focus on simplification of business processes
- Strengthened service sector ecosystem
Jammu & Kashmir
- Ranked 5th among States/UTs
- Achieved top score in 4 out of 5 critical areas
- Reflects emerging investment ecosystem in UT
Haryana
- Implemented 9 key reforms, fast-tracked 13 additional reforms
- Major initiatives:
- CLU simplification (documents reduced from 19 to 3)
- Approval time reduced to 36 days
- Pollution clearance timelines reduced (30 → 21 days)
- White category industries (734) exempted from inspections
- Integration with National Single Window System (NSWS)
- Jan Vishwas framework for decriminalisation
Significance of ‘Top Achiever’ Category
- Indicates score above 90%
- Reflects:
- Fully functional reform systems
- High user satisfaction
- Effective governance and implementation
Economic and Policy Implications
- Strengthens competitive federalism
- Improves India’s investment climate globally
- Encourages policy innovation and reform replication
- Enhances industrial growth and job creation potential
- Promotes digital governance and transparency
Challenges and Way Forward
- Ensuring ground-level ease of doing business
- Sustaining reform momentum over time
- Addressing regional disparities in implementation
- Balancing growth with environmental sustainability
Static Part (As per Input)
- Framework: Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2024
- Administered By: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- Event: Udyog Samagam 2025 (New Delhi)
- Key Function:
- Evaluate state-level business reforms
- Promote ease of doing business ecosystem
- Encourage investment and industrial growth
- Key Platform Mentioned: National Single Window System (NSWS)
Updated – 12 November 2025, 05:12 PM IST | 14 November 2025, 06:49 PM IST | 13 November 2025, 04:32 AM IST | News Source –Times of India, News on Air, Hindustan Times