The Government of India’s Economic Survey 2025–26 cites Amaravati, the greenfield capital of Andhra Pradesh, as a rare opportunity to deliberately shape growth rather than retrofit after congestion, informality and lack of services set in.
In terms of urbanization, the survey ranked 10 cities based on the “Ease-of-Living” index. They are Pune, Navi Mumbai, Greater Mumbai, Tirupati, Chandigarh, Thane, Raipur, Indore, Vijayawada and Bhopal. It has been noted that these cities are largely newer or Tier 2 urban centers yet to experience the intense population pressures that Bengaluru, Delhi or Mumbai have experienced in the last two decades, and that they remain ahead of the curve: urbanising, but not yet overwhelmed.
The survey further pointed out that Andhra Pradesh has introduced single-window industrial clearance, online land registration and e-environmental approvals under the Business Reforms Action Plan 2024. The state has expanded its “Online Consent Management and Monitoring System” that allows businesses to apply for approvals and track approvals digitally, reducing delays and increasing data transparency between industry and the AP Poll Scrutiny Board.
In terms of “promoting international student mobility”, the Economic Survey found that “state-wise, former hubs such as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have seen declines in international student numbers, while Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have emerged as hosts, suggesting that subnational policies, institutional capacity and outreach significantly influence flows.”
The survey further said that according to the Agricultural Costs and Prices Commission report, which compared yields per hectare across kharif crops over time and between states, major rice-producing states, including AP, had yield per hectare lower than the national average due to unseasonal rains, heat stress and drought during critical crop stages.
Published – 29 Jan 2026 20:14 IST
