States Weekly: January 7, 2026

Big News: Gujarat imposes guidelines for mental health policies focused on students; Delhi revokes pollutioncurbs imposed under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III; Maharashtra approves the Maharashtra Industries, Investment and Services Policy, 2025; Rajasthan approves an Artificial Intelligence – Machine Learning (AI ML) Policy; Chhattisgarh amends its Industrial Development Policy, 2024-30.; and more.

Health 

Delhi expands healthcare facilities for the economically weaker sections (EWS) of society. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the annual family income limit for receiving free treatment at private hospitals built on subsidized land allotted by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has been increased from $2,443 to $5,552 (INR 2.20 lakh to INR 5 lakh).

Source: ETV

Gujarat imposes guidelines for mental health policies focused on students. The Education Department has issued comprehensive guidelines for all universities, colleges, and private coaching institutes to implement a formal Mental Health Policy and strengthen student counseling systems.

Source: Bhaskar

In detail: Govt circular

Rajasthan expands cashless treatments beyond state borders. The state announces that residents can now benefit from free and cashless treatment anywhere in India under the ‘Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya’ (Chief Minister’s Health Scheme). This health initiative has expanded to include more than 30,000 hospitals across the country.

Source: Devdiscourse

In detail:CMO Press release

Assam issues a new framework for the procurement of medical equipment. An executive order issued by the Finance Department under the Assam Public Procurement Act, 2017, mandates that all medical equipment purchases must be made through the “Government e-Marketplace" (GeM).

Source:Sentinel

In detail:Finance department Order

Kerala launches ‘Arogyam Anandam’ (Vibe for Wellness). The scheme seeks to spread awareness in four crucial areas — adopting healthy eating habits, encouraging regular physical exercise, ensuring adequate sleep and rest, and fostering mental wellness. The program will be rolled out through 5,416 public health centers across the state.

Source:New Indian Express

Climate Change and Energy

Delhi revokes pollutioncurbs imposed under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) states that air quality has improved in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, and curbs can now be rolled back. The ban on non-essential diesel-run vehicles has been withdrawn, and the transport of construction materials, including cement, sand and fly ash, is now permitted. Construction activities can also resume.

Source: Hindu Business Line

In detail: GRAP order

Rajasthan approves its Rajasthan Vehicle Scrapping Policy-2025 (RVSP). The policy aims to phase out unfit, old, and polluting vehicles by offering rebates to vehicle owners.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Rajasthan Vehicle Scrapping Policy 2025

Rajasthan implements a “Green Credit Policy.” As per the policy, investments in environmental projects will receive credit vouchers of up to 10 percent and benefits of up to $300,000 (INR 2.5 crore).

Source: Patrika

In detail: Rajasthan Finance Department order

Uttar Pradesh reduces the cost of smart prepaid meters. The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) reduced the costs of smart prepaid meters in its revised Cost Data Book (CDB), 2025. The regulator has fixed the cost at $31 (INR 2,800) for single-phase smart prepaid meters and $45.5 (INR 4,100) for three-phase ones.

Source: Times of India

In detail: UPERC Press release

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Bihar extends the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority’s (BIADA) Amnesty Policy, 2025. The policy has been extended by three months, until March 31, 2026. The amnesty scheme, which was originally set to expire on December 31, 2025, was introduced to revive closed industrial units, improve utilization of industrial land, and settle long-pending disputes and litigation between entrepreneurs and the state’s industrial development authority.

Source: Patna Press

In detail: Notification

Maharashtra approves the Maharashtra Industries, Investment and Services Policy, 2025. The new policy has a strong focus on enhanced competitiveness through improved capital efficiency and reforms. The government aims to establish Maharashtra as a Global Business Destination (GBD) by driving “climate-smart industrialization” and strengthening manufacturing and services.

Source: Hindu Business Line

In detail: Maharashtra Industries, Investment & Services Policy 2025

Rajasthan approves an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI ML) Policy. The policy aims to make public service delivery faster, transparent, and citizen-centric, enhance administrative efficiency, and encourage innovation-driven economic growth through the responsible, ethical, and secure use of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Cabinet decisions

Jammu and Kashmir publishes a draftamendment to its Industrial Policy, 2021–30. According to the proposed amendments, sick industries being targeted for revival will receive the same incentives as new industrial units under the policy. Several other subsidies for women-led business have also been proposed.

Source: Kashmir life

Tripura unveils the Tripura RAMP Transport Incentive Scheme, 2025 and the Tripura RAMP Partial Reimbursement of Loan Incentive Scheme, 2025. The schemes propose reimbursing Mirco, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) 50 percent of expenses incurred in moving secondary raw materials and packaging materials from the seller’s nearest railway station to the buyer’s location. MSMEs participating in state, national, and international fairs will also be eligible for 50 percent reimbursement of travel and transport costs, capped at $1100 (INR 1 lakh) per participation. The primary objective of both of these schemes is to reduce transportation-related costs faced by Tripura’s MSME units.

Source: North East Today

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Andhra Pradesh removes five categories of land from the prohibited properties list under Section 22-A of the Registration Act. The new policy aims to ease the burden on landowners who may not have sufficient documents to prove ownership. Lands allotted to ex-servicemen, serving soldiers, freedom fighters, along with lands assigned before June 18, 1954, and private lands have been excluded from the prohibited properties list.

Source: The Hindu

Goa issues the Goa (National Geospatial Knowledge Based) Land Survey of Urban Habitations Rules, 2025. The rules aim to create accurate digital records of property rights in urban and peri-urban areas across the state.

Source: Digital Goa

In detail: Gazette notification

Infrastructure and Governance

Andhra Pradesh adds two new districts. The two new districts are Polavaram and Markapuram. The state now has 28 districts in total.

Source: The News Minute

In detail: Order

Delhi approves the Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026. The bill decriminalizes minor offenses and promotes “Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.”

Source: Economic Times

Rajasthan issues the Rajasthan Motor Vehicles Aggregator Scheme Rules, 2025. Cab aggregators, delivery service providers, and e-commerce entities operating in the state will now be required to function under the new rules. The state will determine fares, and at least 80 percent of the fare amount will have to be passed to the driver who is on boarded with the aggregator. 

Source: Times of India

In detail: Rajasthan Motor Vehicles Aggregator Scheme Rules, 2025

Tamil Nadu announces the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS). Under the scheme, government employees are assured of a pension amounting to 50 percent of their last drawn monthly salary. Current employees will contribute 10 percent of their salary towards the pension, while the government will contribute the remaining share.

Source: The News Minute

In detail: Press release (in Tamil)

Telangana revokes its “two-child norm” policy for Panchayat (local) elections. The state earlier disqualified individuals with more than two children from contesting rural local body elections.

Source: Times of India

Chhattisgarh amends its Industrial Development Policy, 2024-30. The amended policy aims to boost industrial and service sector growth while creating new employment opportunities. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) units in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, food processing, electronics, artificial intelligence, and information technology, that generate employment for more than 50 persons will be eligible for wage-linked incentives for employing residents of Chhattisgarh,

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Cabinet decisions

Goa creates a new district. Kushavati, the new district, will be carved out of South Goa. The state now has three districts – North Goa, South Goa, and Kushavati.

Source: The Goan

In detail: Order

Punjab extends the deadline for the Punjab One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for Recovery of Outstanding Dues, 2025. The new deadline is March 31, 2026. The decision aims to provide relief to traders and industry owners who have been unable to clear tax dues.

Source: Babushahi

In detail: One-Time Settlement Scheme

Punjab passes the Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill seeks to expedite the disposal of cases pending before various revenue authorities under the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887.

Source:Times of India

In detail:The Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2025,

Punjab passes The Punjab Abadi Deh (Record of Rights Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill seeks to accelerate the implementation of the ‘Mera Ghar Mere Naam' (My House, My Name) scheme to formalize ownership of ‘Abadi Deh’ lands (inhabited village lands).

Source: Times of India

In detail: The Punjab Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2025,

Punjab passes the Indian Stamp (Punjab Second Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill seeks to simplify stamp duty rates. The state aims to make the process more business friendly.

Source: Times of India

In detail: The Indian Stamp (Punjab Second Amendment) Bill, 2025

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center – State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Ladakh publishes the Ladakh Sports Policy, 2025. The policy seeks to establish a Sports Council to focus on talent identification and infrastructure development.

Source: States Times

In detail: Ladakh Sports Policy 2025