Tamil Nadu Leads India With 49 Operational SEZs as Exports Reach Rs 2.12 Lakh Crore

Tamil Nadu continues to host the highest number of operational special economic zones in India, with 49 operational zones as of July 31, 2026, while recording an employment base of 6.27 lakh people and exports worth Rs 2,12,288 crore in FY26.

According to official data, the country had 277 operational SEZs by late July 2026. Tamil Nadu led the nationwide tally with 49 zones, followed by Karnataka and Telangana with 38 operational SEZs each, and Maharashtra with 36.

In terms of employment, Tamil Nadu ranked second nationally with 6.27 lakh workers in FY26, behind Maharashtra's 6.52 lakh. Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh followed with 5.27 lakh, 4.67 lakh, and 2.56 lakh jobs respectively. While overall employment in Tamil Nadu's SEZs increased nearly 20% from 5.24 lakh in FY22, workforce numbers contracted from a peak of 7.28 lakh in FY25.

Exports from Tamil Nadu's SEZs rose nearly 56% from Rs 1,36,329 crore in FY22 to Rs 2,12,288 crore in FY26. Total national SEZ exports grew from Rs 9,90,447 crore to Rs 16,36,192 crore during the same timeframe. However, the state's export pace lagged competitors, with Gujarat recording Rs 4,05,595 crore in SEZ exports and Karnataka logging Rs 2,69,004 crore in FY26.

State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT) has set up eight SEZs to support industrial expansion and is currently developing a multi-product SEZ at Panapakkam in Kancheepuram district for general manufacturing and non-leather footwear.

State investment promotion agency Guidance Tamil Nadu noted that the state's SEZ network spans engineering, automotive manufacturing, electronics, IT/ITES, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and free trade warehousing zones, providing integrated infrastructure for both domestic and global markets.