Ahmedabad/ Gandhinagar: Positioning the state as a global hub for semiconductors, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, the Gujarat government on Monday unveiled the ‘Viksit Gujarat Industrial Policy 2026’. Launched in Gandhinagar by Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and Dy CM, Harsh Sanghavi, the policy aims to attract investments worth Rs 10 lakh crore in next five years, officials said.Valid for a period of five years effective June 1, 2026, the policy, in a first, offers large and mega units the flexibility to choose from a mix of capital, interest and power subsidies in line with their project structures and financial viability.The policy has also introduced an ultra-mega category for projects in thrust sectors worth 10,000 crore and above generating 3,000-plus jobs. The government has identified 21 thrust sectors, including aerospace and space-related manufacturing, alongside semiconductors, semiconductor ancillary industries such as ultra-high-purity chemicals and gases; green hydrogen, battery storage, drones and robotics.The policy also introduces special provisions for selected thrust sectors including drones, robots, toys, footwear and sports goods manufacturing. Units in these sectors can avail incentives up to 50% of eFCI in Category-A talukas and 45% in Category-B talukas.TOI had recently reported that the government is ready with the draft industrial policy which will have an ultra-mega category, dedicated incentives for startups and a project to decongest urban centres through ‘Project THRIVE’ which incentivises industries to relocate outside city limits.Under ‘Project THRIVE’ detailed on Monday, industrial units relocating outside congested city limits will receive wage support, worker housing assistance and relaxations in transfer fees and land conversion norms.CM Patel said, “The policy had been designed keeping future industries in mind, with special thrust on sectors such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, battery storage, electrolysers, electric mobility, aerospace, space manufacturing, semiconductor support industries, robotics, drones, sports goods and toys.”The policy also offers sustenance allowance of Rs 25,000 per month for startups for one year, with women-led startups eligible for enhanced support of Rs 30,000 per month.Seeking to build on Gujarat’s strengths in manufacturing and exports, while positioning itself as a hub for advanced manufacturing, innovation and research-driven industries, the policy will provide MSMEs in Category-A talukas (largely backward regions) with incentive ceilings of up to 45% of eligible fixed capital investment (eFCI), while units in Category-B talukas can avail incentives up to 35% of eFCI.Large units in thrust sectors can avail combined incentives up to 35% of eFCI in Category-A talukas and 25% in Category-B talukas. For ultra-mega projects, the ceiling rises to 40% and 35%, respectively, over a support period extending up to 12 years.The policy also introduces a dedicated incentive framework for R&D centres, including capital subsidy, payroll support and patent assistance, while also backing anchor institutes, specialised skill centres and captive industry training facilities. Incentives have also been announced for private industrial parks, green industrial estates, labour hostels and working women’s hostels near industrial hubs. The policy further includes support for wastewater recycling, zero liquid discharge systems and cleaner production technologies
