States Weekly: November 12, 2025

Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario

Published November 12, 2025

Big News: Sikkim announces Cervical Cancer Vaccination and Testing Policy; Madhya Pradesh waives Energy Surcharges; Tamil Nadu approves Mandatory Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Points in New Buildings; Telangana approves Free Internet for Government Schools; Maharashtra introduces the Safe Reuse and Management of Treated Wastewater Policy, 2025; and more.

Health

Maharashtra expands Cashless Treatment. The state approves a significant expansion of the 'Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana' (Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Public Healthcare Scheme) (MJPJAY) and the 'Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana' (Prime Minister's People's Public Healthcare Scheme) (AB-PMJAY). The number of diseases and medical procedures covered under the two state health insurance schemes will rise from 1,356 to 2,399. The decision aims to bring almost all major and chronic ailments under the purview of free or cashless treatment for eligible citizens across the state.

Source: Free Press Journal

In detail: Order

Telangana reconstitutes the State Council for Clinical Establishments, under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010. The council will be responsible for compiling and updating the State Registers of Clinical Establishments, sending monthly returns to the National Register, representing the State in the National Council, hearing appeals, and publishing annual reports on the implementation of clinical standards.

Source: The Hindu

Sikkim announces Cervical Cancer Vaccination and Testing Policy. Girls below the age of 14 will receive free vaccination against cervical cancer from April 2026. The state also announces that women in the age group of 30 to 65 years will be provided free cervical cancer test kits from the same month for early detection and treatment of the disease.

Source: NDTV

Climate Change and Energy

Kerala approves KSERC (Renewable Energy and Related Matters) Regulations, 2025. The regulations, issued by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) came into effect on November 6, 2025, and remain valid until March 31, 2030. The new billing systems prescribed under the regulations will be implemented from January 1, 2026, while consumers or prosumers who receive feasibility approval by November 5, 2025, will be covered under the new regulations.

Source: BioEnergy Times

In detail: KSERC (Renewable Energy and Related Matters) Regulations, 2025

Madhya Pradesh waives Energy Surcharges. The state inaugurates the 'Samadhan Yojana 2025-26' (Resolution Scheme 2025-26) which aims to provide relief to nearly 9 million electricity consumers across the state, with the government waiving $338 million (INR 3,000 crore) in surcharges.

Source: Indian Master Minds

In detail: Samadhan Yojana 2025-26

Maharashtra establishes 'Swayampurna' (Wholeness) Maharashtra Residential Rooftop (SMART) Scheme. The scheme, approved by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) aims to provide free solar-powered electricity for 25 years to households below the poverty line (BPL) and those belonging to people from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Swayampurna Maharashtra Residential Rooftop (SMART) scheme

Rajasthan revises Solar Tariffs. The 'Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.' (JVVNL) (Jaipur Electricity Distribution Company) has announced a revision in tariffs for Net Metering and Net Billing systems under the Rajasthan Electricity Regukatory Commission (RERC) Grid-Interactive Distributed Renewable Energy Generating Systems Framework. The tariff for Net Metering has been revised to $0.036 (INR 3.26) per kWh, applicable to all categories of consumers. The Net Billing tariff has been set at $0.04 (INR 3.65) per kWh.

Source: Energetica

Tripura regulates Net Energy Credits via Draft TERC (The Grid Interactive Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic System under Gross/Net Metering) Regulation, 2024. The Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (TERC) has capped net energy credits at a maximum of 3.8 units per kW per day for solar systems installed by domestic, irrigation, and water works consumers.

Source: Mercom

In detail: Draft Tripura Electricity Regulatory (The Grid Interactive Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic System under Gross/Net Metering) Regulation, 2024, (First Amendment), 2025

Tamil Nadu approves Mandatory Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Points in New Buildings. The state's Housing and Urban Development Department has made it mandatory for all new residential, commercial, and large buildings to include EV charging points.

Source: The Hawk

In detail: Building Rules

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Karnataka approves the Karnataka Startup Policy (2025-30). The policy will cost $58 million (INR 518.27 crore) in a span of five years and aims to help establish up to 25,000 startups, of which 10,000 will be outside Bengaluru. The startups are expected to focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing and other tech-related issues.

Source: Deccan Herald

Delhi unveils New Liquor Policy. The policy focuses on introducing premium liquor brands across retail outlets and allows the establishment of exclusive beer bars.

Source: Elite Wealth

Goa invokes the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). Under ESMA, the manufacture, packaging, distribution and transportation of pharmaceutical products and their components as now considered essential services under the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1988. The aim is to prevent any strikes or disruptions in the pharmaceutical industry.

Source: Goemkarponn

In detail: Notification

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Karnataka publishes new Skill Development Policy 2025-32. The policy comes with a 7-year strategic blueprint, backed by an outlay of $500 million (INR 4,432 crore).

Source: Hindu

Infrastructure and Governance

Gujarat pushes for Urbanization via Satellite Towns. The state has drawn up plans to develop five towns adjoining its major cities as 'satellite' towns. The five identified satellite towns are Kalol (under the Gandhinagar Urban Development Authority), Sanand (Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority), Savli (Vadodara Urban Development Authority), Bardoli (Surat Urban Development Authority), and Hirasar (Rajkot Urban Development Authority). The Urban Development Department (UDD) aims to ensure that these towns, adjacent to the state's five major cities grow in coordination with their respective "mother cities."

Source: Desh Gujarat

Haryana approves Key Policies.

The state instructs the Haryana Skill Employment Corporation (HKRN) to provide jobs to one member of each family who are victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The state also approves the Factories (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, ensuring official appointment letters to every worker, overtime limit and wage increases, and protective gear for machine-equipment.

Source: Punjab Kesari

In detail: Press Release

Telangana approves Free Internet for Government Schools. The policy aims to reach up to 22,730 schools that have computers but lack good Wi-Fi connectivity.

Source: Telugu Samayam

Kerala introduces new Bus Permit Rules. The state has decided to ban the import and re-registration of old buses from other states. Going forward, only Bharat Stage VI (BS6) compliant buses will be eligible for permits in Kerala, as part of the state's effort to reduce pollution and improve passenger safety.

Source: Coach Builders India

Puducherry eases Restrictions under the Factories Act, 1984. Women employees can now work in factories up to 10pm. Previously, women employees were permitted to work only till 7pm.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Order

Water and Sanitation

Maharashtra introduces the Safe Reuse and Management of Treated Wastewater Policy, 2025. The policy aims to reduce freshwater use by promoting treated wastewater for gardening, construction, firefighting, and industrial purposes.

Source: Free Press Journal

In detail: Order

Center - State Relations

The Union government asks the Forum of Regulators to create a Tariff Determination Framework. The Forum of Regulators, a joint body of central and state electricity regulatory commissions, will draft a tariff determination framework that can be applied to power transmission projects to be covered under the Union government's asset monetization program. The tariff framework will be adopted by all the state electricity regulators for promoting transmission assets monetization.

Source: Business Standard

In detail: Concept Note

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week.

Programs & Projects