States Weekly: December 24, 2025

Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario

Published December 24, 2025

Big News: Karnataka passes the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Telangana creates a new Distribution Company (DISCOM); Odisha unveils a Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Policy, 2025; Jharkhand approves the Jharkhand Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2025;Madhya Pradesh notifies the Madhya Pradesh Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Act, 2025.

Health

Gujarat bans Tobacco Rolling Paper and Pre-Rolled Cones. The ban comes into immediate effect as per the Gujarat Home Department.

Source: NDTV

Karnataka passes the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill brings mental health establishments under a legal framework. As per the bill, new private medical establishments, including hospitals and clinics, will get a six-month "provisional registration" to start operations without inspection.

Source: Deccan Herald

In detail: Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Karnataka passes the Drugs and Cosmetics (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill empowers enforcement agencies to act against spurious drugs and cosmetics and introduces sharper penalties for violations. The bill amends the Union's Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Source: The South First

In detail: Drugs and Cosmetics (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2025

Rajasthan launches the Hub and Spoke Model and the Heal in Rajasthan Policy, 2025. As per the Hub and Spoke Model (a scheme of India's National Health Mission), over 100 specialized tests such as Troponin, Cancer Marker, Biopsies, Thalassemia, Hepatitis, and Thyroid will be made available free of cost to patients across 400 "spokes" and 11 "mother laboratories." The "Heal in Rajasthan Policy, 2025" aims to ensure Rajasthan becomes an attractive destination for "medical tourism" and low-cost treatments.

Source: Patrika

In detail: Press Release

Climate Change and Energy

Bihar introduces its Pumped Storage Policy, 2025. The policy aims to strengthen the state's renewable energy infrastructure. Under the policy, the Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited selected two agencies, Greenko and Sun Petro, to implement various pumped storage projects in the hilly regions of Nawada.

Source: Indian masterminds

In detail: Bihar Pumped Storage Projects Promotion Policy 2025

Delhi releases DERC (Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering for Renewable Energy) (Seventh Amendment) Guidelines, 2025. The draft guidelines, issued by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), update existing guidelines on renewable energy virtual net metering (VNM). Previously, the VNM framework had restrictions. The new guidelines expand its reach to all consumers in Delhi. This now explicitly includes consumers with a single point of supply. The amendment aims to allow more consumers to benefit from renewable energy systems, thereby encouraging wider adoption of clean energy across the city.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: DERC (Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering for Renewable Energy) (Seventh Amendment) Guidelines, 2025

Karnataka releases Draft (KERC) Forecasting, Scheduling, Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters for Sellers and Buyers of Wind, Solar and RE-Hybrid Generation Sources Regulations, 2025. The regulations, issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), aim at ensuring secure and stable grid operations while promoting accurate forecasting and scheduling by renewable energy generators and buyers.

Source: Solar Quarter

Madhya Pradesh releases Draft Fifth Amendment to the (MPERC) (Co-Generation and Generation of Electricity from Renewable Sources of Energy) (Revision-II), Regulations, 2021. The regulations, issued by the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) has mandated obligated entities, including distribution companies (DISCOMs), open access consumers, and captive power users, to adhere to a specific renewable purchase obligation (RPO).

Source: Mercom

In detail: Draft notification

Rajasthan introduces a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Policy, 2026. To address challenges like increasing traffic congestion, pollution, and unregulated land use in urban areas, the TOD policy aims to make cities more accessible, environmentally friendly and livable while promoting walking and non-motorized transportation (NMT) in densely populated and crowded areas. It also aims to increase the use of public transport.

Source: ETV

In detail: Transit Oriented Development Policy Rajasthan-2025

Telangana creates a new Distribution Company (DISCOM). The DISCOM will handle 2,908,138 connections. The new company will begin operations on April 1, 2026, and will be the third DISCOM in the state. It will be dedicated to handling free power supply and other electricity schemes based on government subsidies.

Source: Siasat

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Tamil Nadu announces a Toy Manufacturing Policy, 2025. The policy presents a roadmap to position the state as a global center for the design, development and production of next-generation toys. Alongside large-scale manufacturing, the policy also seeks to revive Tamil Nadu's centuries-old artisanal toy traditions and integrate them with modern supply chains.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Tamil Nadu Toy Manufacturing Policy 2025

Meghalaya amends Meghalaya Building Bylaws. The new amendment introduces a requirement that all new constructions with a cumulative built-up area of 107,639 square foot (10,000 square meters) or more must obtain a "green-building certification."

Source: Hub Network

Odisha unveils a Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Policy, 2025. The policy aims to attract investment of $2.78 billion (INR 25,000 crore) and create 100,000 jobs by 2030. Under the policy, the state will offer a 50 percent subsidy on concessional land cost for units employing more than 200 Odisha-domiciled skilled staff. The government also offered a 30 per cent capital subsidy on eligible plant and machinery (disbursed up to 6 percent per annum for 5 years), without any upper cap, while a 25 percent subsidy, capped at $111,562 (INR 1 crore) will be given for dedicated power infrastructure.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Odisha Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Policy-2025

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Delhi orders Work from Home for 50% of the Staff. The order is in effect from December 18. The state also announced $111 (INR 10,000) in compensation for construction workers rendered unemployed due to the pollution-battling GRAP III and GRAP IV measures.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Government notification

Madhya Pradesh notifies the Madhya Pradesh Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Act, 2025. The act aims to modernize compliance processes and enhance transparency in labor administration.

Source: SCC online

In detail: Madhya Pradesh Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Act, 2025

Jharkhand approves the Jharkhand Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2025. The Bill brings gig workers under one legal platform.

Source: Times of India

Infrastructure and Governance

Delhi approves Restructure of Revenue Districts. The restructure will take the capital's 11 revenue districts and convert them into 13 new districts. The reorganization will make all districts co-terminus with the 12 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) zones, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and the Delhi Cantonment Board, ensuring uniformity across governance boundaries.

Source: India TV

Karnataka passes the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025. It seeks to prevent the dissemination, publication, and promotion of hate speech and hate crimes, prescribe punishment for such offenses, and provide compensation to victims.

Source: The Hindu Business Line

In detail: Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025

Karnataka passes the Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025. The Bill aims at penalizing caste and community-driven social exclusion and discrimination enforced through informal bodies such as caste or community panchayats.

Source: The News Minute

In detail: Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025

Meghalaya approves two Policies. The Cabinet approved the State Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (Preschool to Class I), emphasizing holistic development, value education, and the state's culture and history. Learning both Khasi and Garo languages will be mandatory. The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Meghalaya Building Bye Laws, 2021, making green building certification mandatory for certain large buildings.

Source: NorthEast Today

Punjab approves amendments to the Industrial and Business Development Policy (IBDP), 2022. The new amendments replace the requirement to provide a bank guarantee (BG) for availing fiscal incentives.

Source: Tribune

Uttarakhand approves a Retirement Package for 'Anganwadi' (Rural Childcare Center) Workers. A sum of $1,115 (INR 100,000) will be given for workers retiring from service.

Source: Indian masterminds

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Assam designates Reserved Forests in Goalpara District. As per the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, the state designates Kumari Beel, covering 667 acres (270 hectares), and Dhamar Beel, covering 832 acres (337 hectares), as protected ecologically sensitive areas.

Source: NE now

In detail: Cabinet decisions

Himachal Pradesh introduces a Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Policy, 2025. The state aims to strengthen cooperatives as a pillar of a self-reliant, inclusive rural economy.

Source: Indian cooperative

In detail: Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Development Policy

Programs & Projects