Recently, India’s first ‘National Investment and Manufacturing Zone’ was proposed to be set up in

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh.

India's first National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) was proposed to be set up in Andhra Pradesh. Here is a detailed breakdown of why this is the correct answer:

What is a National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ)?
A National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) is a large, integrated industrial township concept introduced under India's National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), 2011. The NMP was announced with the ambitious goal of raising the share of manufacturing in India's GDP to 25% and creating 100 million jobs within a decade. NIMZs were envisioned as greenfield industrial cities equipped with world-class infrastructure, efficient governance, and skill development facilities to attract large-scale domestic and foreign investment.

Key Features of NIMZs:
- They are self-contained industrial townships with plug-and-play infrastructure.
- Managed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with devolved regulatory powers for faster approvals.
- Focus on clean and green technology manufacturing.
- Each NIMZ is designed to be at least 5,000 hectares in area.
- They offer streamlined land acquisition, environmental clearances, and single-window approvals.

Why Andhra Pradesh?
The first NIMZ in India was proposed to be established in Andhra Pradesh, specifically in the Prakasam district (near the town of Yerpedu / areas along the proposed investment corridor). The state was chosen due to several strategic advantages:

1. Geographic and logistical advantage: Andhra Pradesh has a long coastline, proximity to major ports (like Krishnapatnam and Visakhapatnam), and strong connectivity, making it ideal for export-oriented manufacturing.
2. Policy support: The state government was proactive in facilitating land and clearances required for large-scale industrial zones.
3. Industrial corridor alignment: It falls within the broader framework of industrial corridor development being pursued by the central government along various economic corridors in southern India.

Eliminating the Other Options:
- Gujarat — While Gujarat is a major industrial state with several investment zones and hosts Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) nodes, it was not the site of India's first proposed NIMZ.
- Maharashtra — Maharashtra is a leading manufacturing hub and hosts DMIC nodes as well, but was not the location of the first proposed NIMZ.
- Uttar Pradesh — UP has received NIMZ proposals along the DMIC corridor subsequently, but was not the first proposed location.

Conclusion:
India's first National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) was proposed to be set up in Andhra Pradesh, making it the pioneering state in implementing the National Manufacturing Policy's flagship industrial township initiative. This reflects the central government's intent to leverage Andhra Pradesh's strategic coastal location and industrial potential as a model for future NIMZs across the country.