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States Weekly Newsletter

July 29, 2026

Big News: Arunachal Pradesh approves Mission SURAKSHA - State Unified Response Against Drugs, Substance Harm, and Addiction; Delhi implements PARIVARTAN, the “Program for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivization of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emissions” Scheme; Maharashtra approves the Maharashtra Bioplastics Policy 2026; Madhya Pradesh passes a Uniform Civil Code 2026 Bill; Sikkim adopts a Government Resolution to implement the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024; and more.

Health

Maharashtra launches a Rating System under the Public Health Department. The initiative, introduced via a Government Resolution (GR) aims to provide citizens with a “service standard” assessment of government hospitals.

Source: Deccan Herald

In detail: Star Rating System System

Arunachal Pradesh approves CM CARES - Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Action for Resilient, Equitable and Healthy State. The CM CARES program aims to bring about greater convergence between health and social security schemes of the Arunchal Pradesh government.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Press Release

Arunachal Pradesh approves Mission SURAKSHA - State Unified Response Against Drugs, Substance Harm, and Addiction. The scheme aims to fight drug addiction and increase rehabilitation support programs.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Press Release

Climate Change and Energy

Bihar issues (BERC) Order for Determining the Generic Levelized Tariff for Electricity Generated from Renewable Energy Sources for the Financial Year 2026-27. The order, issued by the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC), will be applicable retrospectively from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Order for Determining the Generic Levelized Tariff for Electricity Generated from Renewable Energy Sources for the Financial Year 2026-27

Delhi implements PARIVARTAN - Program for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivization of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emissions Scheme. The scheme aims to reduce air pollution by incentivizing the replacement of older polluting trucks and buses in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Source: The Hindu

Uttar Pradesh issues Draft UPERC (Uttar Pradesh Electricity Grid Code) Regulations, 2026. The regulations, issued by the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission, intend to modernize the operational framework for intra-state transmission systems, improve grid security, and enhance the overall power system management.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Uttar Pradesh Electricity Grid Code Regulations, 2026

West Bengal launches the ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ (Prime Minister’s Solar Home Free Electricity Scheme). The scheme aims to cover 500,000 households with rooftop solar installations by March 2027.

Source: Economic Times

Goa implements JERC Electricity Supply Code (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2024. The regulations, issued by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission, mandate smart pre-payment for all new electricity connections, prescribes timelines for new connections, and provides for a penalty of up to $5.18 (INR 500) per day for delays by distribution licenses.

Source: Digital Goa

In detail: JERC Electricity Supply Code (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2024

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Haryana issues a policy for the formalization of industrial colonies. It will allow industrial establishments operating in unauthorized industrial clusters to be eligible for formalization, if they were constructed before October 3, 2025, and is spread over a minimum contiguous area of 10 acres and comprises at least 50 units.

Source: Tribune

In detail: Policy Notification

Maharashtra approves the Maharashtra Bioplastics Policy 2026. The policy aims to attract $2.6 billion (INR 25,000 crore) in greenfield investments over the next 5 years.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Maharashtra Bioplastics Policy 2026

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Assam amends its property registration policy. The policy mandates the registration of a wide range of documents. These include agreements for sale, development agreements, and property-related powers of attorney.

Source: NE Wire

Infrastructure and Governance

Andhra Pradesh launches ‘Netannala Sevalo’ (Serving Weavers) Scheme. As per the scheme, below-poverty-line handloom weaver families will receive annual financial assistance of $259.13 (INR 25,000), irrespective of the beneficiary’s age or the number of looms owned.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Bihar passes the Bihar Gambling (Prohibition) Bill, 2026. The bill repeals the Public Gambling Act, 1867. It prohibits all forms of gambling in the state including online and mobile app-based gambling.

Source: The Print

Madhya Pradesh passes a Uniform Civil Code 2026 Bill. It becomes the 4th state after Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam to pass a Uniform Civil Code.

Source: ETV

West Bengal announces restrictions on the powers of municipalities and other local bodies. Elected representatives, including municipal chairpersons and ‘Gram Panchayat’ (Village Council) heads, no longer have the authority to issue birth and death certificates. Only designated government officials would be authorized to issue birth and death certificates.

Source: Telegraph

Chhattisgarh approves a 10 percent reservation for Agniveer Soldiers in the state-level civil services. It will apply to direct recruitment for Class-III (Group C) posts, specifically constables in the police department, forest guards in the forest department and guards in the jail department.

Source: New Indian Express

In detail: Cabinet Decision

Odisha revises delegation of financial powers for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) along with Bhubaneswar and Rourkela Smart Cities. The financial powers of the managing directors of Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) and Rourkela Smart City Limited (RSCL) have been brought at par with those of commissioners of municipal corporations.

Source: The Print

Sikkim passes Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Board of Open Schooling and Skill Education, Sikkim (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The former amends the 2025 parent law on private universities and the latter aims at strengthening regulatory oversight and aligning the state with the National Education Policy.

Source: North East Today

In detail: Press Release

Sikkim passes the Fire and Emergency Services (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Bill seeks to decriminalize minor regulatory offences, simplify compliance requirements, and facilitate ease of doing business.

Source: North East Today

In detail: Press Release

Water and Sanitation

Sikkim adopts a Government Resolution to implement the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024. The implementation aims to relax minor offences and facilitate ease of doing business.

Source: North East Today

In detail: Press Release

Center - State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Maharashtra abolishes the one-year Social Responsibility Service required of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) graduates from government, municipal, government-aided, and private unaided medical colleges. It does not apply to postgraduate and super-speciality degree recipients.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Cancellation of the Mandatory Social Responsibility Service Requirement(in Marathi)

Goa updates Casino Regulations. The regulations prohibit individuals under the age of 21 from entering designated gambling areas.

Source: World Casino Directory