According to an ASSOCHAM report on Indian states, which state was ranked the second best in attracting new investments?

Introduction / Context:
ASSOCHAM, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, regularly publishes reports on investment trends, state competitiveness, and economic performance. One such report analysed which states were most successful in attracting investments. Gujarat was often ranked first, and another state, Odisha, emerged as second best. Questions about this ranking appear in general awareness sections because they connect economics, geography, and current affairs in a single factual point.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers specifically to an ASSOCHAM report about states attracting investments.
• It asks which state ranked second best, not first.
• Options are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.
• We assume the report is a widely cited national level study used in exam oriented current affairs.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is to recall that Gujarat has traditionally been a top performer in attracting investments, while Odisha has shown strong growth and was highlighted by ASSOCHAM as second best in one such report. A common mistake is to assume that the answer must be Gujarat, but the wording clearly asks for second best. Therefore, the correct approach is to remember that Odisha, especially in sectors like mining, metals, and infrastructure, gained significant investment commitments and consequently secured the second position.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note the phrase second best state in attracting investments in the question. Step 2: Recall from current affairs that Gujarat typically ranks first in many investment related reports. Step 3: Remember that Odisha was highlighted by ASSOCHAM as the second most attractive state for investments in that report. Step 4: Compare this memory with the options: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. Step 5: Select Odisha as the correct answer because it fits the second best position.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of which states commonly feature in discussions about investment destinations. Gujarat and Maharashtra are frequently cited, but Odisha attracting large industrial and mining projects was a notable development, specifically mentioned in analysis pieces around that ASSOCHAM report. Madhya Pradesh has improved its business climate but was not highlighted as the second best in that specific context. Remembering that news headlines often said that Odisha became second after Gujarat helps confirm the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gujarat: Commonly ranked first in attracting investments, but the question asks for the second best state. Maharashtra: A major industrial state but not identified as second best in that particular ASSOCHAM ranking. Madhya Pradesh: Has made progress in ease of doing business but was not named the second best in this report. Odisha: Correct option, as it was highlighted by ASSOCHAM as the second best state in attracting investments.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates misread the question and answer with Gujarat because they associate it with investment leadership. Another pitfall is ignoring the phrase second best and focusing only on general reputation. To prevent this, underline or mentally emphasise comparative terms like first, second, highest, or lowest while reading questions. Also, during current affairs revision, pay attention to specific rankings and positions rather than only which state appears most frequently in business news.

Final Answer:
Odisha was ranked the second best state in attracting investments according to the ASSOCHAM report referred to in the question.