With more than 1.29 crore new jobs, Tamil Nadu (15%) was named the leading state in generating employment in the manufacturing sector in the country in 2012-13, according to a study, ‘Assessment of employment in registered manufacturing industry,’ conducted by ASSOCHAM. Maharashtra (14%), Gujarat (10.5%), Andhra Pradesh (9%), and Karnataka (7%), round out the top five states.

Tamil Nadu (1.2%) and West Bengal (0.2%) were the only states to register consecutive positive year-on-year (YoY) growth rates in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Andhra Pradesh (12%), Rajasthan (7%), and Maharashtra (5%) saw the sharpest year-on-year decline in jobs in the manufacturing sector.

The fastest growing industry was the food sector, at 12%.