New Delhi: Registering poor inflow of investments and expenditure in science & technology and in generating knowledge intensive employment, Odisha ranked 12th in major states category in the first ever ‘India Innovation Index’ released by the NITI Aayog here Thursday.
According to NITI the Aayog report, the state has scored 12.66 to rank 12th in Innovation while scoring 15.25 to rank 10th in Enablers. Similarly, it secured 11th rank in Performance with a score of 10.08.
The state has underperformed in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI), venture capital deals, generating knowledge-intensive employment and establishing research and development (R&D) institutions in the state.
According to the report, there are very less number of R&D institutions funded by state government. The state has also underperformed in number of grass roots innovations and start-ups.
The state, however, performed well in terms of human capital, safety and legal environment and knowledge diffusion.
Addressing the event, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said, “The index will drive a culture of innovation in the states and help create a conducive ecosystem for innovation. In the current scenario of economy, innovation has a significant role in boosting the economy of the country. I believe if the states are seen as generators of innovation by the investors then they will surely go to invest there. This index will help the corporate sector in chalking out ways to work with the states in cooperative federalism.”
Significantly, the India Innovation Index measures innovation inputs through enabler parameters and innovation output as performance. Five enabler pillars that capture elements of the state economy are: human capital, investment, knowledge diffusion, business environment and safety & legal environment.
Notably, Karnataka topped the index in Major States category followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra while Sikkim secured the first rank among hilly states category while Delhi topped among the Union Territories.