NEW DELHI : Assam has emerged as India’s fastest-growing state economy over the past five years, underscoring the Northeast’s rising role in the country’s overall growth trajectory, according to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

RBI figures on Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at constant prices show that Assam’s economy expanded by 45 per cent between FY20 and FY25-the highest among major states and well above the national average for the same period.

The state’s GSDP rose from Rs 2.4 lakh crore in FY20 to Rs 3.5 lakh crore in FY25, driven by steady performance in agriculture, oil and gas, and a sharp uptick in infrastructure investment across the Northeast.

Assam’s strong showing reflects a broader shift in India’s growth pattern, with economic expansion increasingly being powered by multiple regions rather than remaining concentrated in a few traditional hubs.

At the national level, India’s real GDP grew by 29 per cent over five years, rising from Rs 145.35 lakh crore in FY20 to Rs 187.97 lakh crore in FY25. Against this backdrop, RBI data indicate that the ten fastest-growing major state economies recorded growth rates of up to 45 per cent, comfortably outpacing the national average.

Tamil Nadu ranked second, registering 39 per cent growth as its GSDP increased from Rs 12.4 lakh crore to Rs 17.3 lakh crore, supported by a strong manufacturing base across automobiles, electronics, textiles and services. Karnataka followed with 36 per cent growth, with its economy expanding from Rs 11.5 lakh crore to Rs 15.7 lakh crore, anchored by technology services, startups, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.

Uttar Pradesh posted 35 per cent growth over the five-year period, with GSDP rising from Rs 11.7 lakh crore to Rs 15.8 lakh crore, backed by its large domestic market, agriculture and expanding industrial and logistics infrastructure. Rajasthan recorded 34 per cent growth as its economy grew from Rs 6.8 lakh crore to Rs 9.1 lakh crore, led by mining, renewable energy, tourism and cement production.

Bihar and Andhra Pradesh both registered 33 per cent growth. Bihar’s GSDP increased from Rs 4.0 lakh crore to Rs 5.3 lakh crore, driven largely by agriculture and services, while Andhra Pradesh’s economy expanded from Rs 6.5 lakh crore to Rs 8.7 lakh crore, supported by agriculture, ports, logistics and food processing.

Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand recorded 31 per cent growth each. Chhattisgarh’s economy rose from Rs 2.5 lakh crore to Rs 3.3 lakh crore on the back of mining, power generation and steel, while Jharkhand’s GSDP increased from Rs 2.3 lakh crore to Rs 3.0 lakh crore, supported by minerals and heavy industries. Telangana rounded out the top ten with 30 per cent growth, as its GSDP climbed from Rs 6.4 lakh crore to Rs 8.4 lakh crore, driven by information technology, pharmaceuticals and urban services.

With Assam topping the growth chart, the latest RBI data point to a clear rebalancing of India’s economic momentum, firmly placing the Northeast on the national growth map.