Lucknow: Once struggling to attract industrial interest, Uttar Pradesh is now scripting an unprecedented success story in investment and development. Since 2017, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state has transformed into one of India’s most preferred destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) and industrial growth. From mere promises to real progress, the state’s journey is now being hailed as a model of reform, performance, and transformation.
A Turnaround Decade for Uttar Pradesh
Before 2017, UP’s industrial image was bleak—lack of clear policies, fragile law and order, and a poor “Ease of Doing Business” ranking deterred investors. In 17 years (2000–2017), the state received only ₹3,000 crore in FDI. Shockingly, FDI inflow in 2016–17 plummeted to just ₹50 crore, exposing a drought in industrial investment.
However, the Yogi government changed the narrative. Through aggressive policy reforms, improved governance, and a pro-industry mindset, UP attracted several thousand crores worth of FDI between 2019 and 2023, a multi-fold increase from previous years.
Mega Summits and Groundbreaking Results
The 2018 UP Investors Summit brought in proposals worth ₹4.28 lakh crore, while the 2023 Global Investors Summit (GIS) broke records with proposals exceeding ₹33.50 lakh crore. To turn these proposals into reality, the state held four successful Ground Breaking Ceremonies (GBCs). A fifth GBC is slated for November 2025, targeting projects worth ₹5 lakh crore, which could rise to ₹10 lakh crore by event day.
Ground Reality: Over 16,000 Projects, 8,000 Operational
UP’s industrial story is not just about numbers—over 16,000 projects are already on the ground, of which 8,000+ are commercially operational, while the rest are under implementation. Investment has poured into manufacturing (62.25%), services (28.09%), and infrastructure sectors, with major players like Tata, Adani, Vivo, PepsiCo, Haldiram, and IKEA actively investing in the state.
A Triveni of Investment, Jobs & Growth
The surge in FDI has unlocked massive employment opportunities, spurred MSME development, and triggered a socio-economic transformation across UP’s urban and rural landscapes. CM Yogi has directed officials to ensure that development projects align with ground realities and benefit from inputs of elected representatives and local stakeholders.
Looking Ahead
With GBC-5 on the horizon, and an environment brimming with industrial optimism, Uttar Pradesh is poised to achieve its vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy. As the state continues to climb the investment ladder, it sets a new benchmark for policy-led growth and reaffirms its emergence as the industrial engine of New India.
