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States Weekly Newsletter

June 24, 2026

Big News: Kerala announces the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme; Delhi announces a Proactive Winter Air Quality Management Framework; Gujarat announces the Viksit Gujarat Industrial Policy 2026; Maharashtra approves the Maharashtra Automated Systems Policy 2026; Bihar announces MVR revisions alongside the Bihar Stamp (Prevention of Under-Valuation of Instruments) (Amendment) Rules, 2026; Maharashtra approves the Maharashtra Rural Drinking Water Policy 2026; and more.

Health

Jharkhand launches the “District Sandbox” Initiative. The initiative aims to create a real-world testing environment, enabling innovators, startups, and researchers to test medical technologies in public health settings before large-scale deployment.

Source: Digital Health News

In detail: Press Release

Kerala announces the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme. The scheme will provide support of up to $26,416 (INR 25 lakh) per family.

Source: New Indian Express

In detail: Kerala Budget Speech 2026-27

Climate Change and Energy

Delhi announces a Proactive Winter Air Quality Management Framework. The framework introduces a series of measures, including doubling of parking charges, restrictions on non-Bharat Stage VI goods vehicles, mandatory pollution certificates for fuel purchases and staggered office timings. The measures will remain in force for four months from November every year.

Source: India Today

Delhi issues Draft DERC (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2026. The regulations, issued by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), aim to make Green Energy Open Access more accessible to a larger number of electricity consumers, based on the sanctioned load or contracted demand of the consumer.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: DERC (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2026

Assam announces plans to list the Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Limited (AEGCL) and Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (AGCL) on the Stock Exchange. The decision aims to enable these corporations to access capital markets and raise resources.

Source: India Today

Chhattisgarh releases the CSERC Tariff Order for Financial Year 2026-27. The order, issued by the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC), approves an average electricity tariff increase of 6.23 percent across all consumer categories, effective July 1, 2026.

Source: Vyqon

In detail: CSERC Tariff Order for Financial Year 2026-27

Himachal Pradesh releases the HPERC Electricity Grid Code Regulations, 2026. The regulations, issued by the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC), aim to strengthen the planning, operation, management, protection, and security of the state’s electricity grid while enabling deeper integration of renewable energy resources.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: HPERC Electricity Grid Code Regulations, 2026

Meghalaya releases Draft State Grid Code Regulations, 2026. The regulations, issued by the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MSERC), aim to align with National Standards, and to garner feedback from the public.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Meghalaya State Grid Code Regulations 2026

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Gujarat announces the Viksit Gujarat Industrial Policy 2026. The policy sets out a framework which aims to establish Gujarat as a global leader in advanced manufacturing, innovation, and sustainable development.

Source: News Mill

In detail: Viksit Gujarat Industrial Policy 2026

Haryana issues the Haryana Agri-Business and Food Processing Policy-2026. The policy aims to establish Haryana as a leading destination for food processing investments through modern infrastructure, cluster-based development, and stronger farm-to-market linkages.

Source: Times of India

Maharashtra approves the Maharashtra Automated Systems Policy 2026. The policy seeks to accelerate growth across the entire automated systems ecosystem, covering research and development, innovation, manufacturing, deployment, operations, maintenance and repair.

Source: Swarajya

Assam issues the Assam Excise (Amendment) Rules 2026. The new rules introduce major changes in liquor sales, licensing, location of liquor outlets, revenue collection, and the promotion of heritage alcoholic beverages. The new rules mandate minimum guaranteed revenue payments for liquor license holders, impose stricter distance norms for retail outlets, and regulate liquor sales and license transfers.

Source: Deccan Herald

In detail: Assam Excise (Amendment) Rules 2026

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Bihar announces MVR revisions alongside the Bihar Stamp (Prevention of Under-Valuation of Instruments) (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The state announces that under the new Minimum Value Register (MVR), or “circle rates,” rural land rates will increase by 60 percent. The general Stamp Duty rate has also been increased by 1 percent. For land registered in a woman’s name, the concession on stamp duty has been increased from 0.3 percent to 0.4 percent, while the 0.1 percent concession on registration fees remains unchanged. This raises the total concession available to women to 0.5%.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Stamp Duty Notification, Bihar Stamp (Prevention of Under-Valuation of Instruments) (Amendment) Rules, 2026

Goa announces around 2,791 acres as a No-Development Zone. The decision aims to safeguard Goa’s environmentally fragile area.

Source: ETV

In detail: Notification

Infrastructure and Governance

Karnataka announces a 50% concession on traffic fines between June 21 and July 10. The order applies to the capital city of Bengaluru.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Karnataka Traffic Concession Notification

Maharashtra revises Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026, based on the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The application fee for seeking information rises from $0.10 to $0.31 (INR 10 to 30), while the cost of obtaining copies of documents has increased from $0.02 to $0.05 (INR 2 to 5) per page.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Notification

Telangana approves a 1.621 percent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for electricity department staff, pensioners, and artisans.

Source: Mint

West Bengal announces a 20 percent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for government employees and pensioners. The new rate will be effective from October 1, 2026.

Source: Mint

Arunachal Pradesh amends the Arunachal Pradesh Land Settlement and Records Rules (APLSR), 2012. The new rules aim to simplify land-use regulations and remove procedural hurdles concerning agricultural land, among other issues.

Source: Arunachal Observer

In detail: Press Release

Arunachal Pradesh approves the Arunachal Pradesh Cooperation Policy 2026. The policy seeks to revitalize cooperative institutions, strengthen digital governance systems, and improve market access for the agriculture sector.

Source: Arunachal Observer

In detail: Press Release

Kerala announces a Single-Window Invest Kerala Cell. The government aims to assist in establishing 10,000 MSMEs, and create a unified platform to handle land acquisition, regulatory approvals, and post-investment support.

Source: New Indian Express

In detail: Kerala Budget Speech 2026-27

Ladakh announces a ban on single-use plastics. Violations will include fines of up to $105 (INR 10,000).

Source: NDTV

In detail: Press Release

Water and Sanitation

Maharashtra approves the Maharashtra Rural Drinking Water Policy 2026. The policy focuses on effective and permanent measures to maintain the supply of drinking water in rural areas.

Source: Times of India

Center - State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Andhra Pradesh relaxes registration rules for doctors. Doctors from across the country will be permitted to practice in the state without requiring a separate registration from the local medical council or a non-objection certificate from their home state councils.

Source: Rediff

Bihar issues Draft Bihar Outstanding Sportspersons Direct Recruitment (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The rules expand government employment opportunities for athletes who excel at national and international competitions.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Cabinet Decisions