Lucknow/New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh has achieved a major milestone in logistics and infrastructure development by securing the prestigious ‘Exemplar’ award in the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2025 rankings. The recognition places the state as the best-performing landlocked state in India, marking a significant leap from its previous ‘Achiever’ status.
The award was presented by Piyush Goyal during the LEADS 2025 Report and Logistics Excellence, Advancement and Performance Shield awards ceremony held at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi.
On behalf of Uttar Pradesh, the award was received by Shashank Chaudhary, an IAS officer of 2017 batch and Additional Chief Executive Officer of Invest UP.
From ‘Achiever’ to ‘Exemplar’: Uttar Pradesh’s Big Leap
For the last three years, from 2022 to 2024, Uttar Pradesh consistently remained in the ‘Achiever’ category in the LEADS rankings. In 2025, the state moved to the highest-performing ‘Exemplar’ category, which is awarded to states that set benchmarks for the rest of the country.
The achievement reflects the state’s rapid progress in:
- Logistics infrastructure development
- Expressway connectivity
- Warehousing and cold-chain expansion
- Regulatory reforms
- Operational efficiency
Logistics at the Core of UP’s $1 Trillion Economy Vision
Under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has positioned logistics as a key driver of its ambition to become a $1 trillion economy.
Officials from Invest UP said the state has significantly strengthened its logistics ecosystem through the Uttar Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Policy 2022 and the implementation of city-specific logistics master plans under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
These initiatives are helping to:
- Reduce logistics and transportation costs
- Improve last-mile connectivity
- Enhance supply chain efficiency
- Attract private investment
Expressways, Freight Corridors and Jewar Airport Fuel Growth
Uttar Pradesh’s transformation into a logistics powerhouse has been driven by major infrastructure projects, including:
- Extensive expressway network
- Convergence of the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors at Dadri
- Noida International Airport (Jewar Airport)
- Strategic warehousing and cold-chain facilities
New logistics hubs are being developed along these transport corridors to create an integrated and efficient goods movement network.
What Is the LEADS Ranking?
The Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) index was launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industryin 2018 as a national benchmarking framework.
The rankings assess states across several parameters, including:
- Road, rail and air connectivity
- Warehousing capacity
- Regulatory environment
- Logistics services
- Operational efficiency
The objective is to encourage states to adopt best practices and improve their logistics performance.
Statement from Invest UP
After receiving the award, Shashank Chaudhary said that Uttar Pradesh has prepared City Logistics Master Plans aligned with the PM Gati Shakti framework to build a seamless and integrated logistics network.
He noted that strategic logistics hubs are being developed around expressways, freight corridors and upcoming airports, enabling Uttar Pradesh to emerge as one of India’s leading logistics destinations.
