Big News: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu release State Budgets 2025-26; Delhi proposes the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0; Telangana launches the “Rajiv Yuva Vikasam” Scheme to provide financial assistance to unemployed youth from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes and minority communities; Karnataka passes the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024; and more.
Nothing critical to report this week.
Delhi proposes the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, targeting 95 percent of the vehicle registration to be electric by 2027. The proposed policy also aims to phase out CNG-powered vehicles, including auto-rickshaws, taxis, light commercial vehicles, replacing them with electric options. Source: Times of India
Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) waives application fees, security deposits, and meter testing charges for domestic rooftop solar installations under the PM Solar Rooftop Scheme, aiming to accelerate adoption and achieve the state's goal of installing rooftop solar in 500,000 households. Source: Energetica; In detail: RERC Order
Arunachal Pradesh releases the Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Strategy and Action: A People’s Plan. The plan aims to achieve national biodiversity targets through clear, localised action points and by empowering communities, districts, and indigenous groups to take charge of their environment with the support of the government. Source: The Arunachal Times; In detail: Arunachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Strategy and Action: A People’s Plan
Rajasthan passes the Rajasthan Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 meant to replace the GST Amendment Ordinance 2024. The bill aims to enhance tax collection continuity and provide relief to taxpayers. Source: The Statesman; In detail: GST Amendment Bill 2024 (Hindi)
Nothing critical to report this week.
Mizoram unanimously passes a resolution to adopt the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 for application in the state. The state’s Mizoram Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2016 had been deemed inapplicable by the Gauhati High Court necessitating the adoption of the central government law. Source: Times of India; In detail: The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Tamil Nadu announces that the registration fee for all immovable assets, including houses, plots, and agricultural lands, valued up to $11,500, will be reduced by 1 percent when registered in the name of women. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Budget Speech 2025-26
Arunachal Pradesh presents the State Budget 2025-26 with an outlay of $4.58 billion. The budget focuses on four major pillars including people, infrastructure economy, and innovation. Key strategic initiatives focu on promoting entrepreneurship in the state. Source: Arunachal 24 ; In detail: Arunachal Pradesh Budget Speech 2025-26
Assam presents the State Budget 2025-26 with an outlay of $30.3 billion. The budget reinstituted the provision for the sale of land between people from different religions. Additionally, it focuses on the government’s land bank development and providing safeguards against land encroachment. This is the government last full budget before the state heads into legislative assembly elections in May 2026. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Assam Budget Speech 2025-26 (in Assamese)
Himachal Pradesh presents the State Budget 2025-26 with an outlay of $6.72 billion. The budget focuses on the development of the rural economy through the participation of farmers, rural youth, and women. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Himachal Pradesh Budget in Brief 2025-26
Madhya Pradesh presents the State Budget 2025-26 with an outlay of $48 billion. The budget empathises enhancing the role of private investors in infrastructure development. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Madhya Pradesh Budget Speech 2025-26
Maharashtra presents the State Budget 2025-26 with an outlay of $80 billion. The budget emphasises industrial growth, infrastructure development, and job creation. The budget aims to attract investments of $461.36 billion and create employment for 5 million people over the next five years. Source: Drishti; In detail: Maharashtra Budget Speech 2025-26 Part I , Part II
Puducherry presents the State Budget 2025-26 with an outlay of $1.5 billion. The budget includes specific provisions for gender equity, clean energy, and youth empowerment. Proposed capital expenditure has increased to 9.8 percent up from 1.66 percent in 2021-22. Source: Times of India; In detail: Puducherry Budget Speech 2025-26
Tamil Nadu presents the State Budget 2025-26 with an outlay of $50.67 billion. The budget includes extensive welfare provisions such a fare-free bus travel scheme for women, monthly grants of $11.5 to 11.5 million women, and funding for foundational educational programs. Source: Times of India; In detail: Tamil Nadu Budget Speech 2025-26
Rajasthan launches the “Aapki Beti” Scholarship Scheme to encourage girls’ education in the state. Under the scheme, the government will provide financial assistance ranging from $24-$28.7 to girl students studying in government schools depending on their class of enrolment. Source: Times Bull; In detail: Aapki Beti Scholarship Scheme Launch Video
Telangana launches the “Rajiv Yuva Vikasam” Scheme with an allocation of $692 million to provide financial assistance to unemployed youth from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes and minority communities. Under the scheme, the government will provide up to $3,450.03 assistance to 500,000 eligible beneficiaries through self-employment schemes. Source: Telangana Today; In detail: Rajiv Yuva Vikasam Scheme Details
Karnataka passes the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024, amidst pushback from citizen groups. The bill proposes dividing the greater Bengaluru region in seven distinct corporations with the proposed Greater Bengaluru Authority leading the charge on overall planning. It also proposes cutting down the elected term of mayors, and deputy mayors from five to two and a half years. The bill aims to strengthen the administrative machinery of the city. Source: Deccan Herald; In detail: Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024
Karnataka passes four bills – the Karnataka Micro Loan and Small Loan (Prevention of Coercive Actions) Bill 2025, the Karnataka Pawn Brokers (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Karnataka Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Karnataka Money Lenders (Amendment) Bill 2025 to address the financial exploitation of borrowers and curb the practice of usury by moneylenders. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Karnataka Micro Loan and Small Loan (Prevention of Coercive Actions) Bill 2025, Karnataka Pawn Brokers (Amendment) Bill 2025, Karnataka Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest (Amendment) Bill 2025, Karnataka Money Lenders (Amendment) Bill 2025
Assam announces the “Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan” (MMUA) Scheme with a sanctioned outlay of $368 million to promote women empowerment in the state. Under MMUA, women will be eligible to avail loans up to $980. Source: Prag News; In detail: Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan Scheme Details
Himachal Pradesh approves the State Excise Policy, 2025-26. As per the new policy, state liquor vends will be issued through an auction cum tender process. Source: Times of India; In detail: Himachal Pradesh Excise Policy, 2025-26
Himachal Pradesh increases the annual income slab of below poverty line (BPL) families in the state from $415 to $576 per annum to include more families in the BPL category and make them eligible for state supported benefit schemes. Source: The Tribune
Meghalaya passes the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The amendment deletes the words, "creation of land-banks through direct purchase of land or other means" to remove land acquisition from the Meghalaya Investment Promotion Authority’s ambit. The amendment comes in the wake of protests in the state. Source: Times of India; In detail: Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Chhattisgarh announces the decision to set up the State Water Information Centre (SWIC) for better management of water resources in the state and preparation of scientific planning. Source: News Riveting; In detail: Cabinet Decisions
Assam and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) situated in the Ministry of Science & technology, Government of India sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under the government’s Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment (BioE3) Policy. As per the MoU, DBT will provide guidance and facilitate partnerships, and Assam will establish a State BioE3 Cell and develop a dedicated action plan leveraging the state's biodiversity. The collaboration aims to foster the biomanufacturing ecosystem in the state. Source: India Today; In detail: Press Release
Nothing critical to report this week.
