Why in the News?

The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry has released Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS), 2025 Report.

What is Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS)?

Overview: It is a national index benchmarking logistics performance across States and Union Territories of India.
Origin: Conceived in 2018, modelled on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI).
Authority: Prepared by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Methodology: Combines objective indicators (infrastructure, regulatory support, enablers) with perception-based feedback from stakeholders on cost, efficiency, and services.
Purpose: Promotes healthy competition, identifies best practices, and guides policy interventions to improve logistics efficiency.

Launch: Released by the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry in New Delhi.
Framework: Built on 4 pillars – Infrastructure, Services, Operating & Regulatory Environment, and Sustainable Logistics.
New Features:
- Corridor-level assessment of major national and regional corridors (journey time, truck speed, waiting periods).
- API-enabled evaluation of section-wise truck speeds using real-time data.
Classification: States/UTs ranked as Leaders, Achievers, and Aspirers.
Alignment: Supports Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Viksit Bharat 2047.

Top States: Gujarat (1st), Karnataka (2nd), Maharashtra (3rd), Tamil Nadu (4th), Rajasthan (5th).
Parameters: Journey time, logistics costs, infrastructure quality, service reliability, waiting times, and sustainability practices.
Strategic Outcomes: Identifies bottlenecks, promotes evidence-based policymaking, reduces logistics costs, and enhances supply chain competitiveness.