Big News: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, and Tripura release State Budgets, 2025-26; Meghalaya introduces the CM Care+ Scheme to provide financial assistance for high-end tertiary and critical care treatments; Andhra Pradesh issues detailed Operational Guidelines under the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024; West Bengal announces the Revocation of West Bengal Incentive Schemes and Obligations in the Nature of Grants and Incentives Bill revoking eight incentive schemes for heavy industries; and more.
Health
Meghalaya introduces the CM Care+ Scheme to provide financial assistance for high-end tertiary and critical care treatments that are not covered under the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS). The Care+ Scheme aims to go beyond the $6,000 coverage limit set by the MHIS-PM Jan Arogya Yojana. Source: North East Today; In detail: Notification
Mizoram launches the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS). The initiative will be effective from April and aims to provide cashless services replacing the previous healthcare schemes and ensure that empanelled hospitals no longer face difficulties, while providing comprehensive coverage and protection. Source: Times of India; In detail: Press Release
Climate Change and Energy
Andhra Pradesh issues detailed Operational Guidelines under the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024. The guidelines cover resource allocation, land allotment, grid connectivity, open access, banking facilities, project migration, fees, and incentives. The guidelines aim to streamline approvals, accelerate project implementation, and enhance the state's renewable energy landscape. Source: Construction World; In detail: Operational Guidelines
Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission releases an order announcing a surcharge of $0.0042 per unit for all consumers except for the consumers receiving 200 free units of electricity under the Gruha JyothiScheme. This order also announces a surcharge of $0.004 per unit for 2026-27 and $0.0039 for 2027-28. Source: Deccan Herald; In detail: KERC Order
Madhya Pradesh releases the “Pradhan Mantri Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana” with an allocation of $52 million. The scheme has an ambitious goal of equipping 4 million farmers in the state with solar pumps. Source: Ommcomnews; In detail: Press Release
Jammu and Kashmir extends the power amnesty scheme for domestic consumers by one year. This is the third time in three years that Jammu and Kashmir has extended the power amnesty scheme. Source: The Hindu
Finance
Nothing critical to report this week.
Industrial Policy and Business Regulations
Telangana releases the Telangana Tourism Policy 2025-2030. The policy aims to position Telangana among the top five states in domestic and international tourist arrivals, attract $1.74 billion of new investments in the tourism sector over the next five years, create additional employment opportunities for three lakh people and enhance tourism contribution to 10 percent or higher of the state GDP. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Telangana Tourism Policy 2025-2030
West Bengal announces the Revocation of West Bengal Incentive Schemes and Obligations in the Nature of Grants and Incentives Bill. The bill revokes eight incentive schemes for heavy industries, which were launched during the 1993-2013 period. The state aims to replace these with a modern incentive scheme to encourage setting up of industrial units. Source: India TV; In detail: Assembly Bulletin
Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations
Nothing critical to report this week
Infrastructure and Governance
Haryana presents the State Budget, 2025-26 with an outlay of $23.87 billion. The budget earmarks $581.4 million for the government’s flagship “Lado Lakshmi Yojana” that aims to promote women empowerment. Additionally, the budget increases the subsidy amount under the “Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana” from $81.4 per acre to $93 per acre with the aim to stop the trend of rapidly declining groundwater level. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Haryana Budget Speech 2025-26
Himachal Pradesh presents the State Budget, 2025-26 with an outlay of $6.8 billion. The budget focuses on rural infrastructure development and green energy in the state. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Himachal Pradesh Budget Speech 2025-26
Telangana presents the State Budget, 2025-26 with an outlay of $35.45 billion. The budget earmarks over $6.5 billion for welfare schemes and plans to raise $7.44 billion through open market loans. Source: India Today; In detail: Telangana Budget in Brief
Tripura presents the State Budget, 2025-26 with an outlay of $3.77 billion. The budget proposes 13 new welfare schemes to help job seekers, mentally challenged persons, visitors to the state capital and others. Source: Rediff; In detail: Tripura Budget Speech 2025-26
Andhra Pradesh approves the A.P. Metropolitan Region and Urban Development Authorities (Amendment) Bill–2025. The bill aims to streamline urban planning and governance in the state. Source: The Hindu
Karnataka passes the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Act, 2025. The Bill provides 4 percent reservation for Muslims in public contracts. Source: NDTV; In detail: Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Act, 2025
Maharashtra approves the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025, which aims to increase vehicle taxes, generating additional state revenue. Source: Free Press Journal; In detail: Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025
Rajasthan increases the financial assistance provided to newborn girls under the “Lado Protsahan Yojana” from $1162 to $1,744. Source: New Indian Express; In detail: Press Release (in Hindi)
Telangana passes the Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Caste and Schedule Tribes (Reservation in Education and Appointments in State Services) 2025 proposing 42 percent reservation for backward classes, 18 percent for scheduled caste citizens, and 10 percent for scheduled tribe citizens in educational institutions and employment in the state. Additionally, the state also passes the Telangana Backward Classes (Reservation in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) 2025, proposing a 42 percent reservation for backward classes citizens in rural and urban local bodies. Source: NDTV
Arunachal Pradesh unveils plans to create the Institute for Transforming Arunachal (ITA), a think tank designed to steer policy direction and evaluate the impact of development initiatives. Source: Sentinel
Chhattisgarh approve the Chhattisgarh Naxal Surrender/Victim Relief and Rehabilitation Policy, 2025 aiming to support victims of Maoist violence and to facilitate reintegration of surrendered Maoists in the society. Source: Times of India
Kerala releases the Kerala State Elderly Commission Bill, 2025 becoming the first state in India to create a commission for senior citizens. The commission aims to focus on protecting the rights, welfare, and rehabilitation of the elderly. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Kerala State Elderly Commission Bill, 2025
Odisha approves the Odisha State Road Policy, 2025 and the Odisha State Highways Authority Bill, 2025 with an aim to provide a framework for a quality road network, ensure safe, sustainable, and efficient movement of people and goods across the state. Source: Odisha Bytes
Water and Sanitation
Maharashtra passes a resolution for the implementation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, introduced by the central government in February 2024. The Act has provisions for penal action instead of imprisonment for violation of petty offences as well as decriminalising some of them. Source: Free Press Journal; In detail: Maharashtra Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024
Center – State Relations
Nothing critical to report this week.
Any Other
Andhra Pradesh signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gates Foundation to promote digital governance and technological innovation in the state. Under this partnership, the Gates Foundation will provide strategic support to implementation partners identified by the Andhra Pradesh government, facilitating targeted interventions in state-driven schemes. Source: India Today
