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NITIसंधान
07 October 2025
Quarterly newsletter by Research and Networking (R&N) Division of NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog continues to uphold its mandate of
driving transformative reforms through rigorous
research, structured policy interventions, and the
creation of enabling ecosystems for sustainable
development. The recent publications — ‘Electric
Vehicles: Unlocking a $200 Billion Opportunity’
and the ‘India Electric Mobility Index 2024’ —
constitute important contributions to the national
discourse on clean mobility. Together, they highlight the considerable
progress made while drawing attention to the challenges that remain in
achieving the target of 30% electric vehicle penetration by 2030.
In pursuit of this critical agenda, it gives me great satisfaction to
announce the establishment of a dedicated Division of E-Mobility within
NITI Aayog. This Division shall function as the institutional anchor for inter-
ministerial coordination, industry collaboration, and evidence-based
policy formulation, thereby accelerating the adoption of sustainable
transport solutions and fostering innovation across the ecosystem.
Through NITIसंधान, our endeavour is to disseminate knowledge, catalyse
informed debate, and inspire collective action. These initiatives
will contribute meaningfully towards shaping an energy-efficient,
technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable future in
alignment with the national aspiration of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam
CEO, NITI Aayog
This edition of NITIसंधान underscores NITI Aayog’s
steadfast commitment to advancing India’s
developmental vision through evidence-based
policymaking, strategic foresight, and cooperative
federalism. The diverse research outputs featured
herein reflect concerted efforts to address critical
national priorities with rigour and depth.
The report on India’s chemical industry outlines interventions critical to
strengthening competitiveness in global value chains, while the North
Eastern Region District SDG Index offers a pioneering framework for
monitoring progress in a region of profound strategic importance. The
roadmap for strengthening State Science and Technology Councils
underscores the imperative of empowering regional innovation
ecosystems through structural reforms and capacity building.
Equally noteworthy are sectoral studies on electric mobility, pulses,
homestays, and artificial intelligence, each providing forward-looking
insights into sustainability, livelihoods, and technological transformation.
Collectively, these initiatives embody NITI Aayog’s role as a catalyst
for inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven growth, guiding India with
conviction towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
Shri Suman Bery
Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog
SCAN this
QR to access NITI
publications
Strategies and Pathways for
Accelerating Growth in Pulses
towards the Goal of AtmanirbhartaUnlocking a $200 Billion
Opportunity: Electric Vehicles in
India
North Eastern Region District SDG
Index 2023-24
Rethinking Homestays: Navigating
Policy Pathways
Trade Watch- Quarterly (October
- December [Q3] FY25)
AI for Viksit Bharat - The
Opportunity for Accelerated
Economic Growth
Stories of change- Aspirational
Districts and Blocks
A Roadmap for Strengthening
State S&T Council
India Voluntary National Review
2025
India Electric Mobility Index 2024
Chemical Industry: Powering
India's participation in Global
Value Chains
Message from Vice
ChairpersonFrom the desk of CEO
About Research and Networking (R&N) Division NITI Spotlight: Ideas, Impact, Insights
In 2024, NITI Aayog established a dedicated Research & Networking
(R&N) Division to strengthen and streamline its policy research efforts
by developing a robust pipeline of high-impact research studies. It also
fosters partnerships with premier think tanks and relevant subject divisions
to build a resource network and enhance collaboration across the policy
ecosystem. The Division further plays a key role in evolving a multi-pronged
dissemination strategy—ensuring that findings are shared widely through
newsletters, reports, and policy briefs—so that knowledge becomes
accessible, actionable, and aligned with national priorities. Through this
mechanism, the Research & Networking Division positions NITI Aayog as
both a facilitator of research excellence and an enabler of meaningful
national and international partnerships.
Ms. Anna Roy (Programme Director, R&N Division, NITI Aayog)
The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), established by NITI
Aayog in 2018, serves as a comprehensive ecosystem designed to
promote and facilitate women-led enterprises. It provides access
to mentorship, financial linkages, capacity-building initiatives, and
knowledge-sharing networks, thereby fostering innovation, enterprise
growth, and inclusive economic development through enhanced
participation of women entrepreneurs.
Research Publications this Quarter
Scan this QR to
access the WEP
Website
For queries or suggestions, reach out to: Chaheti Singh Sisodia, Young Professional, R&N Division, NITI Aayog | E-mail: chahetisingh.s@niti.gov.in 07 October 2025
Unlocking a $200 Billion
Opportunity: Electric Vehicles
in India
Author:
SHRI SUDHENDU J. SINHA,
Programme Director,
e-Mobility Division
Co-Authors: Shri Amarjeet Singh,
Consultant, e-Mobility Division
I
ndia has committed to an accelerated transition toward electric mobility with the
objectives of reducing dependence on imported fuel and lowering greenhouse gas
emissions, while simultaneously improving air quality, enhancing renewable energy
integration, and positioning itself as a global Electric Vehicles (EV) leader. The country has
set an ambitious target of achieving a 30% EV share in total vehicle sales by 2030.
Significant progress has been made in recent years, but the transition remains slower
compared to global leaders such as China, the EU, and the US. EV sales in India increased
from 50,000 in 2016 to 2.08 million in 2024, against a global increase from 918,000 to 18.78
million in the same period.
Voice of our
Researchers
To chart the way forward, 7 stakeholder
consultations were convened at NITI Aayog in
February 2025. These discussions outlined 9 key
approaches to accelerate the EV transition. First,
India must move from incentives to mandates/
disincentives. Second, policies should prioritize
the vehicle segment where electrification
yields the greatest benefits. Third, efforts should
focus on saturating select geographies rather
than thinly distributing resources nationwide,
as concentrated adoption brings visibility
and encourages replication. Fourth, financing
challenges for e-buses and e-trucks must be
addressed, given their outsized role in emissions
reduction. Fifth, emphasis should be placed on
services delivered rather than assets procured,
ensuring public value derives from utilisation rather than underused infrastructure. Sixth, shifting capital costs to operating costs.
Seventh, Research & Development (R&D) must be scaled on new battery chemistries to reduce costs, improve performance, and lower
dependence on imported minerals. Eighth, charging infrastructure should be strategically deployed after viability assessments, avoiding
underutilization. Finally, awareness and data systems must be strengthened to enable evidence-based policymaking.
To kickstart the effort, four immediate priorities are identified. First, develop a clear national EV policy with specific targets and timelines.
Second, design a program of progressively stringent regulations mandating EV adoption within defined timeframes.
Third, launch a new initiative to saturate 5 cities with 100% e-buses, e-paratransit, and e-freight vehicles in urban
transport. Fourth, establish and operationalize a blended financing mechanism to bring down the cost of capital for
e-trucks and e-buses.
This report thus serves as a blueprint for accelerating India’s EV transition. By identifying barriers, proposing strategic
unlocks, and recommending actionable steps, it highlights a pathway for India to achieve its EV targets. Through
data-driven decisions, financing innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, the country can deliver a unified national
push toward zero-emission mobility.
Scan this QR
to access full
report
EV Penetration Rate – Global & India
India’s EV penetration rose from one-fifth of the global average in 2020 to over two-fifths in 2024, yet at ~7.7% of sales, the country remains
far behind its 30% goal. Growth has largely been concentrated in e-2W and e-3W, with some progress in e-buses. However, passenger
e-car adoption has been sluggish, and the electrification of trucks is still at a nascent stage. Achieving the target will require India to
increase EV penetration by 22% within just the next five years, calling for urgent and decisive measures.
EV Sales and EV Stock over the years (Global and India) In FY25, India’s Gross Value Added (GVA)
recorded a growth of 6.4%, moderating from
8.6% in FY24. GVA reflects the value of goods
and services produced across agriculture,
industry, and services. The manufacturing
sector, contributing 17% of overall GVA,
registered the fastest growth at 12.3% in FY24,
surpassing agriculture and services. The
services sector, with the largest share of 55%,
expanded by ~9%, while agriculture continued
to engage 46% of the workforce, compared
to 29.7% in services and 24.2% in industry. The
Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) 2023-24
offers a detailed assessment of the organised
manufacturing sector, covering industrial GVA,
labour productivity, wage growth, and capital
formation.
The ASI 2023-24 underscores a dual trend—
strong industrial GVA growth coupled with a
contraction in labour productivity. Industrial
GVA rose by 11.9% in FY24, the second-
highest in the past decade, though below
the 2003–13 average of 17%. Total invested
capital increased to ₹68.01 lakh crore in FY24
from ₹61.4 lakh crore in FY23, with formal
manufacturing employment rising to 1.95 crore
from 1.85 crore. However, labour productivity
contracted by 0.1%—the first decline since
FY20—following 13.1% growth in FY23. Output
growth also slowed sharply to 5.8% in FY24
from 21.5% in FY23. Industrial activity remains
concentrated, with the top 10 industries
contributing 71% of manufacturing GVA; basic
metals, motor vehicles, chemicals, food, and
pharmaceuticals together accounted for ~48%.
Global trade in goods and services increased
by approximately 3.7% in the Q3 FY25, driven
by modest expansion in goods trade (2%) and
strong momentum in services trade (9%). Over
the past four quarters, developing economies
have generally registered higher overall trade
growth than their developed counterparts.
India’s merchandise and services trade
performance remained steady between April
and December. During this
period, total trade amounted to
$1290.35 bn, reflecting a year-
on-year increase of ~7%. In Apr-
Dec 2024, exports rose by 6.63%
year-on-year, reaching $606
bn, while imports grew by 7.29%,
reaching $684.4 bn.
07 October 2025
Trade Watch Quarterly [October - December (Q3) FY25]
Economics & Finance-I Division
Harnessing Industrial Growth, Bridging Productivity and Output Gap
Services and Economic Intelligence Unit Division
Trade performance in Apr-Dec FY25
Source: ASI 2023-24, MoSPI
Wage growth continues to lag. Average wages rose by 5.6% in FY24, marginally ahead of inflation (5.2%), limiting real income
gains. At the state level, Tamil Nadu retained the highest share of factories (15.4%) and employees (15%), while Gujarat (17.2%)
and Maharashtra (14.5%) led in output. While India’s industrial sector demonstrates robust expansion, the policy priority lies in
translating scale into productivity gains by strengthening efficiency, fostering innovation, and investing in workforce upskilling.
Authors: Dr. Sonia Pant, Programme Director; Ms. Mansi Nautiyal, Young Professional; Ms. Anisha Sawhney, Young
Professional
Scan this QR
to access full
report
Source: ASI 2023-24, MoSPI The Compendium on NITI-State Workshop
Series FY 2024-25 presents a collection of
workshops held across Indian states under
NITI Aayog’s “States Support Mission.” It covers
themes like climate change, governance,
economy, health, infrastructure, and capacity
building, summarising key discussions, best
practices, and lessons for state-level policy
implementation.
07 October 2025
Scan this QR
to access full
report
Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways
Tourism and Culture Division
Chemical Industry: Powering India's
participation in Global Value Chains
Industry & Foreign Investment Division
A Compendium on NITI-State
Workshop Series
State Support Mission
Post-pandemic, India’s tourism sector is recovering strongly, led by booming domestic travel and demand for experiential journeys.
Homestays present a significant opportunity, offering localised cultural experiences while expanding accommodation capacity. By scaling
successful models from states like Goa and Kerala, India can unlock growth, support micro-entrepreneurs, and strengthen tourism’s future.
For tourism to truly be a driver in achieving the Government’s vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047, an enabling regulatory framework for
homestays is an essential step. Following the introduction of the Incredible India Bed & Breakfast by the centre, 18 states in India have
formulated their guidelines/schemes for homestays, offering various fiscal, non-fiscal, tax, marketing, and capacity-building incentives and
focusing on diverse purposes from livelihood promotion to rural tourism development.
The homestay sector in India is constrained by regulatory ambiguities, onerous registration processes, and stakeholder divergences,
impeding its growth potential. Nevertheless, it offers significant opportunities to enhance livelihoods, expand tourism-linked services, and
promote cultural exchange.
With a market size of $220 billion in 2023, the chemical industry is a
pillar of India’s economy. India is the world’s sixth-largest and Asia’s
third-largest producer, supplying raw materials to pharmaceuticals,
textiles, automotive, agriculture, and construction. The sector
contributes 7% to GDP and is key to India’s $5-trillion economy goal.
Despite its strengths, India accounts for only 3–3.5% of global
consumption. Heavy import reliance, especially in petrochemical
intermediates and specialty chemicals, has created a $31-billion
trade deficit.
Targeted government interventions—across
infrastructure, technology, trade, and skills—are
vital to make India a global hub. With a structured
roadmap, India can raise its global market
share to 5–6% by 2030, achieve net-zero import
dependence, and create 700,000–1 million jobs.
The report recommendations outline a model policy framework
for the homestay sector, drawing on best practices from across
states. Core proposals include streamlined digital registration,
single-window clearances, proportionate fee
structures, and targeted incentives. Emphasis
is placed on experiential tourism, destination
promotion, anchor hubs, thematic circuits, and
homestay clusters. Streamlined, forward-looking
regulations, coupled with capacity building and
targeted incentives, can foster a sustainable,
inclusive ecosystem that advances India’s
tourism sector.
Registration Roadmap – Goa
Scan this QR
to access full
report
Scan this QR
to access full
report Are you a student struggling to find reliable secondary data for your dissertation? A market analyst juggling economic indicators across
sectors? A journalist racing against deadlines? Or maybe a policymaker, NGO leader, or bureaucrat who needs socio-economic metrics but
has no time to dig through multiple reports?
Your data struggles end here. Meet the National Data Analytics Platform (NDAP), launched by NITI Aayog in 2022. It’s not just another portal—it’s
an open-access platform democratising government data with an intuitive, NLP-powered interface that feels like magic. Imagine exploring
over 6,000 standardized datasets from 52 ministries across 31 sectors, all interoperable and ready for analysis with a click.
NDAP’s ‘use-case-based approach’ suits all users. Want to link a state’s per-capita GDP, literacy, and infant mortality rates? Traditionally,
you’d gather GSDP from MoSPI, literacy from NSSO, and mortality from NFHS—a tedious task. NDAP consolidates these into one platform,
standardising data (e.g., state names, year formats) for instant merging and comparison across themes without manual cleaning. As a market
researcher exploring the textile or processed-food trade without knowing HS codes, you’d once hunt through Ministry of Textiles and APEDA
reports, extracting tables manually. NDAP’s NLP search finds the right datasets
with keywords like ‘textile exports.’ Need FDI inflows? Forget downloading and
merging quarterly Excel files—NDAP filters data by state, year, or variables
instantly, using only official sources to avoid verification hassles.
Beyond finding data, NDAP offers built-in analytics. A few
clicks create line graphs, bar charts, bubble plots, or scatter
plots to export or share. Its pivot-table feature lets you drag
‘state’ into rows, ‘year’ into columns, and indicators like
literacy rate into values for instant averages or sums. In short,
NDAP transforms raw numbers into clear insights — fast. Next
time you need numbers, skip the chaos — just head to NDAP.
Pulses, nutrient-dense legumes, play a critical role in
ensuring food security, promoting human and animal
health, and advancing sustainable agriculture. Their
nitrogen-fixing properties enhance soil fertility, reduce
dependence on synthetic fertilizers, conserve water, and
lower the carbon footprint. By contributing to SDGs on
hunger, health, climate action, land, and responsible
consumption, pulses are integral to nutrition, environmental
sustainability, and resilient agricultural systems. India
recognises their strategic importance as the world’s largest
producer and consumer of pulses.
Pulses are a vital, affordable source of plant-based protein
in India. Following a production shortfall in 2015–16, the
Government introduced various farmer-focused initiatives,
including irrigation, crop insurance, organic farming,
soil health management, and digital market platforms,
supported by price stabilization mechanisms and the
e-Samridhi portal, to ensure procurement, price support,
and market access for pulse producers.
The report outlines a dual approach of horizontal and
vertical expansion. Horizontal expansion focuses on
increasing cultivation area through rice fallows and
intercropping, while vertical expansion emphasizes
yield enhancement via improved seed varieties, timely
sowing, and integrated nutrient and pest management.
A district-wise quadrant approach tailors interventions
to local conditions. Key initiatives include promoting
climate-resilient varieties, implementing
data-driven monitoring systems, and
strengthening local seed systems through
Farmer-Producer Organizations. Special
programs target major pulse crops like
pigeonpea, black gram, and lentil to
reduce import dependence.
07 October 2025
Your Data Genie for Effortless Research
National Data and Analytics Platform Initiative
Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of
Atmanirbharta
Agriculture Technology Division
Author: Ripudaman Bharadwaj, Young Professional
Scan this QR
to access full
report
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to access full
report The North Eastern Region (NER) District SDG Index, a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Development of
North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and NITI Aayog – with technical support from United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), is the first of its kind progress tracking tool for the NER, which is of critical significance to the
country’s development trajectory. The Index measures the performance of the NER districts on the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). It is based on the methodology adopted by the NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index, the
principal and official tool for monitoring progress on the SDGs at the national and State/Union Territory levels.
07 October 2025
Scan this QR
to access full
report
North Eastern Region District SDG Index 2023-24
Sustainable Development Goals Division India’s Third Voluntary National Review 2025,
prepared by NITI Aayog, showcases the country’s
progress towards the UN Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). Highlighting poverty reduction, clean
energy transition, digital inclusion, and localised
implementation, the report emphasises India’s
data-driven, inclusive, and participatory approach
to achieving SDGs, aligned with the vision of Viksit
Bharat @2047.
The report underscores substantial progress in
poverty alleviation, healthcare access, clean
energy advancement, and the expansion of digital
public infrastructure. Localisation through state
and district-level programmes, supported by
data-driven tools and participatory governance,
has significantly advanced SDG
implementation. Nonetheless,
regional disparities, health
outcomes, and environmental
sustainability remain pressing
challenges, necessitating
accelerated action, enhanced
investment, and inclusive policy
measures.
India Voluntary National Review 2025
Sustainable Development Goals Division
Scan this QR
to access full
report
A higher score reflects
stronger progress in
e-mobility. States are
classified as frontrunners
(robust ecosystems),
performers (steady
progress), or aspirants
(needing intervention).
The IEMI is a first-of-its-
kind tool to benchmark the
progress of states and UTs in
achieving e-mobility goals.
By promoting data-driven
decision-making, fostering
healthy competition among
States/UTs, and enabling the
sharing of best practices,
IEMI serves as a catalyst for
accelerated and harmonized
EV adoption across India. The
3 themes and 16 indicators
of the India Electric Mobility
Index (IEMI) 2024, along
with their weightages are
Indicated in the diagram.
07 October 2025
India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2024
e-Mobility Division
EV Penetration Rate – Global & India
IEMI Scores 2024
SDG Goal Wise Performance
Scan this QR
to access full
report Over the next decade, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across sectors is expected to add $17–26 trillion (T) to the global economy.
India’s combination of a large STEM workforce, expanding R&D ecosystem, and growing digital and technology capabilities positions the
country to participate in this transformation, with the potential to capture 10–15% of global AI value.
Placed against India’s economic outlook, this potential becomes more significant. At its current growth rate of 5.7% (as of writing of
the roadmap), India’s GDP is projected to reach $6.6T by 2035. However, under the aspirational 8% growth trajectory outlined in the
government’s vision for the nation, India’s GDP could increase to $8.3T, representing an incremental $1.7T compared with the current
growth path.
The roadmap underscores AI as a pivotal driver of
economic growth, capable of enhancing productivity
and fostering innovation across sectors. Key insights
include AI’s transformative potential in industries such
as banking and manufacturing, its role in advancing
research and frontier technologies, and the necessity
of coordinated efforts among government, industry,
and academia.
The roadmap recommends establishing a robust
policy framework to guide AI adoption, investing
in advanced digital infrastructure,
fostering public–private–academic
collaboration for research and
innovation, and implementing
inclusive, ethical governance. These
measures aim to accelerate AI-
driven productivity, innovation,
and equitable economic growth,
positioning India as a global AI
leader.
The Roadmap for Strengthening State Science & Technology
(S&T) Councils outlines a strategic vision to transform these
bodies into dynamic enablers of regional innovation and
sustainable development. Despite limited resources, councils
have made notable contributions in patent facilitation, remote
sensing, grassroots innovation, science popularisation, and
state-specific initiatives such as digital heritage, healthcare
equipment, farm-to-food products, and lab-to-market
projects. However, councils face wide heterogeneity in
governance, funding, manpower, and focus.
The roadmap calls for a shift from ad-hoc initiatives to an
integrated, forward-looking ecosystem built on structural
reforms, capacity building, and strategic
partnerships. It proposes a Key Coordination
Group to oversee implementation, prioritise
actions, and monitor progress through
dynamic feedback mechanisms. Success
will depend on strong coordination among
governments, funding bodies, academia, and industry. If executed effectively, the roadmap can empower State
S&T Councils as engines of innovation-led growth, contributing to technological self-reliance, knowledge-based
development, and India’s long-term vision of a resilient, self-reliant Viksit Bharat.
A Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Council
Science & Technology Division
07 October 2025
AI for Viksit Bharat - The Opportunity for Accelerated Economic Growth
Frontier Tech Hub Initiative
Scan this QR
to access full
report
Scan this QR
to access full
report
The report highlights innovation from India’s most
underdeveloped districts/blocks under the Aspirational
Districts Programme (ADP) and the Aspirational Blocks
Programme (ABP). It showcases how data-driven
governance, inter-departmental convergence, community
participation, and adaptive local solutions have improved
outcomes in key indicators.
Stories of Change - Aspirational Districts and Blocks
Aspirational Districts/ Blocks Programme
Scan this QR
to access full
report
07 October 2025
Quarterly newsletter by Research and Networking (R&N) Division of NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog continues to uphold its mandate of
driving transformative reforms through rigorous
research, structured policy interventions, and the
creation of enabling ecosystems for sustainable
development. The recent publications — ‘Electric
Vehicles: Unlocking a $200 Billion Opportunity’
and the ‘India Electric Mobility Index 2024’ —
constitute important contributions to the national
discourse on clean mobility. Together, they highlight the considerable
progress made while drawing attention to the challenges that remain in
achieving the target of 30% electric vehicle penetration by 2030.
In pursuit of this critical agenda, it gives me great satisfaction to
announce the establishment of a dedicated Division of E-Mobility within
NITI Aayog. This Division shall function as the institutional anchor for inter-
ministerial coordination, industry collaboration, and evidence-based
policy formulation, thereby accelerating the adoption of sustainable
transport solutions and fostering innovation across the ecosystem.
Through NITIसंधान, our endeavour is to disseminate knowledge, catalyse
informed debate, and inspire collective action. These initiatives
will contribute meaningfully towards shaping an energy-efficient,
technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable future in
alignment with the national aspiration of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam
CEO, NITI Aayog
This edition of NITIसंधान underscores NITI Aayog’s
steadfast commitment to advancing India’s
developmental vision through evidence-based
policymaking, strategic foresight, and cooperative
federalism. The diverse research outputs featured
herein reflect concerted efforts to address critical
national priorities with rigour and depth.
The report on India’s chemical industry outlines interventions critical to
strengthening competitiveness in global value chains, while the North
Eastern Region District SDG Index offers a pioneering framework for
monitoring progress in a region of profound strategic importance. The
roadmap for strengthening State Science and Technology Councils
underscores the imperative of empowering regional innovation
ecosystems through structural reforms and capacity building.
Equally noteworthy are sectoral studies on electric mobility, pulses,
homestays, and artificial intelligence, each providing forward-looking
insights into sustainability, livelihoods, and technological transformation.
Collectively, these initiatives embody NITI Aayog’s role as a catalyst
for inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven growth, guiding India with
conviction towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
Shri Suman Bery
Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog
SCAN this
QR to access NITI
publications
Strategies and Pathways for
Accelerating Growth in Pulses
towards the Goal of AtmanirbhartaUnlocking a $200 Billion
Opportunity: Electric Vehicles in
India
North Eastern Region District SDG
Index 2023-24
Rethinking Homestays: Navigating
Policy Pathways
Trade Watch- Quarterly (October
- December [Q3] FY25)
AI for Viksit Bharat - The
Opportunity for Accelerated
Economic Growth
Stories of change- Aspirational
Districts and Blocks
A Roadmap for Strengthening
State S&T Council
India Voluntary National Review
2025
India Electric Mobility Index 2024
Chemical Industry: Powering
India's participation in Global
Value Chains
Message from Vice
ChairpersonFrom the desk of CEO
About Research and Networking (R&N) Division NITI Spotlight: Ideas, Impact, Insights
In 2024, NITI Aayog established a dedicated Research & Networking
(R&N) Division to strengthen and streamline its policy research efforts
by developing a robust pipeline of high-impact research studies. It also
fosters partnerships with premier think tanks and relevant subject divisions
to build a resource network and enhance collaboration across the policy
ecosystem. The Division further plays a key role in evolving a multi-pronged
dissemination strategy—ensuring that findings are shared widely through
newsletters, reports, and policy briefs—so that knowledge becomes
accessible, actionable, and aligned with national priorities. Through this
mechanism, the Research & Networking Division positions NITI Aayog as
both a facilitator of research excellence and an enabler of meaningful
national and international partnerships.
Ms. Anna Roy (Programme Director, R&N Division, NITI Aayog)
The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), established by NITI
Aayog in 2018, serves as a comprehensive ecosystem designed to
promote and facilitate women-led enterprises. It provides access
to mentorship, financial linkages, capacity-building initiatives, and
knowledge-sharing networks, thereby fostering innovation, enterprise
growth, and inclusive economic development through enhanced
participation of women entrepreneurs.
Research Publications this Quarter
Scan this QR to
access the WEP
Website
For queries or suggestions, reach out to: Chaheti Singh Sisodia, Young Professional, R&N Division, NITI Aayog | E-mail: chahetisingh.s@niti.gov.in 07 October 2025
Unlocking a $200 Billion
Opportunity: Electric Vehicles
in India
Author:
SHRI SUDHENDU J. SINHA,
Programme Director,
e-Mobility Division
Co-Authors: Shri Amarjeet Singh,
Consultant, e-Mobility Division
I
ndia has committed to an accelerated transition toward electric mobility with the
objectives of reducing dependence on imported fuel and lowering greenhouse gas
emissions, while simultaneously improving air quality, enhancing renewable energy
integration, and positioning itself as a global Electric Vehicles (EV) leader. The country has
set an ambitious target of achieving a 30% EV share in total vehicle sales by 2030.
Significant progress has been made in recent years, but the transition remains slower
compared to global leaders such as China, the EU, and the US. EV sales in India increased
from 50,000 in 2016 to 2.08 million in 2024, against a global increase from 918,000 to 18.78
million in the same period.
Voice of our
Researchers
To chart the way forward, 7 stakeholder
consultations were convened at NITI Aayog in
February 2025. These discussions outlined 9 key
approaches to accelerate the EV transition. First,
India must move from incentives to mandates/
disincentives. Second, policies should prioritize
the vehicle segment where electrification
yields the greatest benefits. Third, efforts should
focus on saturating select geographies rather
than thinly distributing resources nationwide,
as concentrated adoption brings visibility
and encourages replication. Fourth, financing
challenges for e-buses and e-trucks must be
addressed, given their outsized role in emissions
reduction. Fifth, emphasis should be placed on
services delivered rather than assets procured,
ensuring public value derives from utilisation rather than underused infrastructure. Sixth, shifting capital costs to operating costs.
Seventh, Research & Development (R&D) must be scaled on new battery chemistries to reduce costs, improve performance, and lower
dependence on imported minerals. Eighth, charging infrastructure should be strategically deployed after viability assessments, avoiding
underutilization. Finally, awareness and data systems must be strengthened to enable evidence-based policymaking.
To kickstart the effort, four immediate priorities are identified. First, develop a clear national EV policy with specific targets and timelines.
Second, design a program of progressively stringent regulations mandating EV adoption within defined timeframes.
Third, launch a new initiative to saturate 5 cities with 100% e-buses, e-paratransit, and e-freight vehicles in urban
transport. Fourth, establish and operationalize a blended financing mechanism to bring down the cost of capital for
e-trucks and e-buses.
This report thus serves as a blueprint for accelerating India’s EV transition. By identifying barriers, proposing strategic
unlocks, and recommending actionable steps, it highlights a pathway for India to achieve its EV targets. Through
data-driven decisions, financing innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, the country can deliver a unified national
push toward zero-emission mobility.
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EV Penetration Rate – Global & India
India’s EV penetration rose from one-fifth of the global average in 2020 to over two-fifths in 2024, yet at ~7.7% of sales, the country remains
far behind its 30% goal. Growth has largely been concentrated in e-2W and e-3W, with some progress in e-buses. However, passenger
e-car adoption has been sluggish, and the electrification of trucks is still at a nascent stage. Achieving the target will require India to
increase EV penetration by 22% within just the next five years, calling for urgent and decisive measures.
EV Sales and EV Stock over the years (Global and India) In FY25, India’s Gross Value Added (GVA)
recorded a growth of 6.4%, moderating from
8.6% in FY24. GVA reflects the value of goods
and services produced across agriculture,
industry, and services. The manufacturing
sector, contributing 17% of overall GVA,
registered the fastest growth at 12.3% in FY24,
surpassing agriculture and services. The
services sector, with the largest share of 55%,
expanded by ~9%, while agriculture continued
to engage 46% of the workforce, compared
to 29.7% in services and 24.2% in industry. The
Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) 2023-24
offers a detailed assessment of the organised
manufacturing sector, covering industrial GVA,
labour productivity, wage growth, and capital
formation.
The ASI 2023-24 underscores a dual trend—
strong industrial GVA growth coupled with a
contraction in labour productivity. Industrial
GVA rose by 11.9% in FY24, the second-
highest in the past decade, though below
the 2003–13 average of 17%. Total invested
capital increased to ₹68.01 lakh crore in FY24
from ₹61.4 lakh crore in FY23, with formal
manufacturing employment rising to 1.95 crore
from 1.85 crore. However, labour productivity
contracted by 0.1%—the first decline since
FY20—following 13.1% growth in FY23. Output
growth also slowed sharply to 5.8% in FY24
from 21.5% in FY23. Industrial activity remains
concentrated, with the top 10 industries
contributing 71% of manufacturing GVA; basic
metals, motor vehicles, chemicals, food, and
pharmaceuticals together accounted for ~48%.
Global trade in goods and services increased
by approximately 3.7% in the Q3 FY25, driven
by modest expansion in goods trade (2%) and
strong momentum in services trade (9%). Over
the past four quarters, developing economies
have generally registered higher overall trade
growth than their developed counterparts.
India’s merchandise and services trade
performance remained steady between April
and December. During this
period, total trade amounted to
$1290.35 bn, reflecting a year-
on-year increase of ~7%. In Apr-
Dec 2024, exports rose by 6.63%
year-on-year, reaching $606
bn, while imports grew by 7.29%,
reaching $684.4 bn.
07 October 2025
Trade Watch Quarterly [October - December (Q3) FY25]
Economics & Finance-I Division
Harnessing Industrial Growth, Bridging Productivity and Output Gap
Services and Economic Intelligence Unit Division
Trade performance in Apr-Dec FY25
Source: ASI 2023-24, MoSPI
Wage growth continues to lag. Average wages rose by 5.6% in FY24, marginally ahead of inflation (5.2%), limiting real income
gains. At the state level, Tamil Nadu retained the highest share of factories (15.4%) and employees (15%), while Gujarat (17.2%)
and Maharashtra (14.5%) led in output. While India’s industrial sector demonstrates robust expansion, the policy priority lies in
translating scale into productivity gains by strengthening efficiency, fostering innovation, and investing in workforce upskilling.
Authors: Dr. Sonia Pant, Programme Director; Ms. Mansi Nautiyal, Young Professional; Ms. Anisha Sawhney, Young
Professional
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Source: ASI 2023-24, MoSPI The Compendium on NITI-State Workshop
Series FY 2024-25 presents a collection of
workshops held across Indian states under
NITI Aayog’s “States Support Mission.” It covers
themes like climate change, governance,
economy, health, infrastructure, and capacity
building, summarising key discussions, best
practices, and lessons for state-level policy
implementation.
07 October 2025
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Rethinking Homestays: Navigating Policy Pathways
Tourism and Culture Division
Chemical Industry: Powering India's
participation in Global Value Chains
Industry & Foreign Investment Division
A Compendium on NITI-State
Workshop Series
State Support Mission
Post-pandemic, India’s tourism sector is recovering strongly, led by booming domestic travel and demand for experiential journeys.
Homestays present a significant opportunity, offering localised cultural experiences while expanding accommodation capacity. By scaling
successful models from states like Goa and Kerala, India can unlock growth, support micro-entrepreneurs, and strengthen tourism’s future.
For tourism to truly be a driver in achieving the Government’s vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047, an enabling regulatory framework for
homestays is an essential step. Following the introduction of the Incredible India Bed & Breakfast by the centre, 18 states in India have
formulated their guidelines/schemes for homestays, offering various fiscal, non-fiscal, tax, marketing, and capacity-building incentives and
focusing on diverse purposes from livelihood promotion to rural tourism development.
The homestay sector in India is constrained by regulatory ambiguities, onerous registration processes, and stakeholder divergences,
impeding its growth potential. Nevertheless, it offers significant opportunities to enhance livelihoods, expand tourism-linked services, and
promote cultural exchange.
With a market size of $220 billion in 2023, the chemical industry is a
pillar of India’s economy. India is the world’s sixth-largest and Asia’s
third-largest producer, supplying raw materials to pharmaceuticals,
textiles, automotive, agriculture, and construction. The sector
contributes 7% to GDP and is key to India’s $5-trillion economy goal.
Despite its strengths, India accounts for only 3–3.5% of global
consumption. Heavy import reliance, especially in petrochemical
intermediates and specialty chemicals, has created a $31-billion
trade deficit.
Targeted government interventions—across
infrastructure, technology, trade, and skills—are
vital to make India a global hub. With a structured
roadmap, India can raise its global market
share to 5–6% by 2030, achieve net-zero import
dependence, and create 700,000–1 million jobs.
The report recommendations outline a model policy framework
for the homestay sector, drawing on best practices from across
states. Core proposals include streamlined digital registration,
single-window clearances, proportionate fee
structures, and targeted incentives. Emphasis
is placed on experiential tourism, destination
promotion, anchor hubs, thematic circuits, and
homestay clusters. Streamlined, forward-looking
regulations, coupled with capacity building and
targeted incentives, can foster a sustainable,
inclusive ecosystem that advances India’s
tourism sector.
Registration Roadmap – Goa
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report Are you a student struggling to find reliable secondary data for your dissertation? A market analyst juggling economic indicators across
sectors? A journalist racing against deadlines? Or maybe a policymaker, NGO leader, or bureaucrat who needs socio-economic metrics but
has no time to dig through multiple reports?
Your data struggles end here. Meet the National Data Analytics Platform (NDAP), launched by NITI Aayog in 2022. It’s not just another portal—it’s
an open-access platform democratising government data with an intuitive, NLP-powered interface that feels like magic. Imagine exploring
over 6,000 standardized datasets from 52 ministries across 31 sectors, all interoperable and ready for analysis with a click.
NDAP’s ‘use-case-based approach’ suits all users. Want to link a state’s per-capita GDP, literacy, and infant mortality rates? Traditionally,
you’d gather GSDP from MoSPI, literacy from NSSO, and mortality from NFHS—a tedious task. NDAP consolidates these into one platform,
standardising data (e.g., state names, year formats) for instant merging and comparison across themes without manual cleaning. As a market
researcher exploring the textile or processed-food trade without knowing HS codes, you’d once hunt through Ministry of Textiles and APEDA
reports, extracting tables manually. NDAP’s NLP search finds the right datasets
with keywords like ‘textile exports.’ Need FDI inflows? Forget downloading and
merging quarterly Excel files—NDAP filters data by state, year, or variables
instantly, using only official sources to avoid verification hassles.
Beyond finding data, NDAP offers built-in analytics. A few
clicks create line graphs, bar charts, bubble plots, or scatter
plots to export or share. Its pivot-table feature lets you drag
‘state’ into rows, ‘year’ into columns, and indicators like
literacy rate into values for instant averages or sums. In short,
NDAP transforms raw numbers into clear insights — fast. Next
time you need numbers, skip the chaos — just head to NDAP.
Pulses, nutrient-dense legumes, play a critical role in
ensuring food security, promoting human and animal
health, and advancing sustainable agriculture. Their
nitrogen-fixing properties enhance soil fertility, reduce
dependence on synthetic fertilizers, conserve water, and
lower the carbon footprint. By contributing to SDGs on
hunger, health, climate action, land, and responsible
consumption, pulses are integral to nutrition, environmental
sustainability, and resilient agricultural systems. India
recognises their strategic importance as the world’s largest
producer and consumer of pulses.
Pulses are a vital, affordable source of plant-based protein
in India. Following a production shortfall in 2015–16, the
Government introduced various farmer-focused initiatives,
including irrigation, crop insurance, organic farming,
soil health management, and digital market platforms,
supported by price stabilization mechanisms and the
e-Samridhi portal, to ensure procurement, price support,
and market access for pulse producers.
The report outlines a dual approach of horizontal and
vertical expansion. Horizontal expansion focuses on
increasing cultivation area through rice fallows and
intercropping, while vertical expansion emphasizes
yield enhancement via improved seed varieties, timely
sowing, and integrated nutrient and pest management.
A district-wise quadrant approach tailors interventions
to local conditions. Key initiatives include promoting
climate-resilient varieties, implementing
data-driven monitoring systems, and
strengthening local seed systems through
Farmer-Producer Organizations. Special
programs target major pulse crops like
pigeonpea, black gram, and lentil to
reduce import dependence.
07 October 2025
Your Data Genie for Effortless Research
National Data and Analytics Platform Initiative
Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of
Atmanirbharta
Agriculture Technology Division
Author: Ripudaman Bharadwaj, Young Professional
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report The North Eastern Region (NER) District SDG Index, a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Development of
North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and NITI Aayog – with technical support from United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), is the first of its kind progress tracking tool for the NER, which is of critical significance to the
country’s development trajectory. The Index measures the performance of the NER districts on the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). It is based on the methodology adopted by the NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index, the
principal and official tool for monitoring progress on the SDGs at the national and State/Union Territory levels.
07 October 2025
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North Eastern Region District SDG Index 2023-24
Sustainable Development Goals Division India’s Third Voluntary National Review 2025,
prepared by NITI Aayog, showcases the country’s
progress towards the UN Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). Highlighting poverty reduction, clean
energy transition, digital inclusion, and localised
implementation, the report emphasises India’s
data-driven, inclusive, and participatory approach
to achieving SDGs, aligned with the vision of Viksit
Bharat @2047.
The report underscores substantial progress in
poverty alleviation, healthcare access, clean
energy advancement, and the expansion of digital
public infrastructure. Localisation through state
and district-level programmes, supported by
data-driven tools and participatory governance,
has significantly advanced SDG
implementation. Nonetheless,
regional disparities, health
outcomes, and environmental
sustainability remain pressing
challenges, necessitating
accelerated action, enhanced
investment, and inclusive policy
measures.
India Voluntary National Review 2025
Sustainable Development Goals Division
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A higher score reflects
stronger progress in
e-mobility. States are
classified as frontrunners
(robust ecosystems),
performers (steady
progress), or aspirants
(needing intervention).
The IEMI is a first-of-its-
kind tool to benchmark the
progress of states and UTs in
achieving e-mobility goals.
By promoting data-driven
decision-making, fostering
healthy competition among
States/UTs, and enabling the
sharing of best practices,
IEMI serves as a catalyst for
accelerated and harmonized
EV adoption across India. The
3 themes and 16 indicators
of the India Electric Mobility
Index (IEMI) 2024, along
with their weightages are
Indicated in the diagram.
07 October 2025
India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2024
e-Mobility Division
EV Penetration Rate – Global & India
IEMI Scores 2024
SDG Goal Wise Performance
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report Over the next decade, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across sectors is expected to add $17–26 trillion (T) to the global economy.
India’s combination of a large STEM workforce, expanding R&D ecosystem, and growing digital and technology capabilities positions the
country to participate in this transformation, with the potential to capture 10–15% of global AI value.
Placed against India’s economic outlook, this potential becomes more significant. At its current growth rate of 5.7% (as of writing of
the roadmap), India’s GDP is projected to reach $6.6T by 2035. However, under the aspirational 8% growth trajectory outlined in the
government’s vision for the nation, India’s GDP could increase to $8.3T, representing an incremental $1.7T compared with the current
growth path.
The roadmap underscores AI as a pivotal driver of
economic growth, capable of enhancing productivity
and fostering innovation across sectors. Key insights
include AI’s transformative potential in industries such
as banking and manufacturing, its role in advancing
research and frontier technologies, and the necessity
of coordinated efforts among government, industry,
and academia.
The roadmap recommends establishing a robust
policy framework to guide AI adoption, investing
in advanced digital infrastructure,
fostering public–private–academic
collaboration for research and
innovation, and implementing
inclusive, ethical governance. These
measures aim to accelerate AI-
driven productivity, innovation,
and equitable economic growth,
positioning India as a global AI
leader.
The Roadmap for Strengthening State Science & Technology
(S&T) Councils outlines a strategic vision to transform these
bodies into dynamic enablers of regional innovation and
sustainable development. Despite limited resources, councils
have made notable contributions in patent facilitation, remote
sensing, grassroots innovation, science popularisation, and
state-specific initiatives such as digital heritage, healthcare
equipment, farm-to-food products, and lab-to-market
projects. However, councils face wide heterogeneity in
governance, funding, manpower, and focus.
The roadmap calls for a shift from ad-hoc initiatives to an
integrated, forward-looking ecosystem built on structural
reforms, capacity building, and strategic
partnerships. It proposes a Key Coordination
Group to oversee implementation, prioritise
actions, and monitor progress through
dynamic feedback mechanisms. Success
will depend on strong coordination among
governments, funding bodies, academia, and industry. If executed effectively, the roadmap can empower State
S&T Councils as engines of innovation-led growth, contributing to technological self-reliance, knowledge-based
development, and India’s long-term vision of a resilient, self-reliant Viksit Bharat.
A Roadmap for Strengthening State S&T Council
Science & Technology Division
07 October 2025
AI for Viksit Bharat - The Opportunity for Accelerated Economic Growth
Frontier Tech Hub Initiative
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The report highlights innovation from India’s most
underdeveloped districts/blocks under the Aspirational
Districts Programme (ADP) and the Aspirational Blocks
Programme (ABP). It showcases how data-driven
governance, inter-departmental convergence, community
participation, and adaptive local solutions have improved
outcomes in key indicators.
Stories of Change - Aspirational Districts and Blocks
Aspirational Districts/ Blocks Programme
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