States Weekly: January 14, 2026

Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario

Published January 14, 2026

Big News: Maharashtra digitizes and lays down procedures for new electricity connections; Uttar Pradesh approves Rules, 2025 for the Uttar Pradesh Global Capability Centers (GCC) Policy, 2024; Tamil Nadu approves the Tamil Nadu Deep Tech Startup Policy, 2025-26; Punjab approves the Punjab Private Digital Open Universities Policy, 2026; and more.

Health

Karnataka orders implementation of the Supreme Court's uniform mental health guidelines for educational institutions within six months. In July 2025, the Supreme Court laid down a detailed 15-point framework applicable nationwide. As per these norms, every institution with 100 or more enrolled students is required to appoint at least one qualified counselor, psychologist, or social worker trained in child mental healthcare.

Source:News First Prime

In detail:Karnataka Government Notification

Karnataka expands its menstrual cup distribution scheme for students. The government has decided to expand the scheme statewide, extending a pilot initiative that was earlier implemented in only a few districts. The scheme aims to reduce the state's dependence on disposable sanitary napkins and lower long-term expenditure on menstrual hygiene products in government schools and colleges.

Source: The News Minute

In detail:Karnataka Government Order

Kerala releases comprehensive guidelines (SOP) for antibiotic-smart hospitals. As part of the anti-microbial resistance (AMR) prevention initiative, hospitals will now be assigned color codes based on compliance with set standards. These codes will also form the basis for hospital accreditation. The new accreditation system will certify antibiotic-smart hospitals, AMR-compliant hospitals, and antibiotic-literate local bodies.

Source:Deshabhimani

In detail:Press release

Climate Change and Energy

Bihar releases BERC (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2025. The regulations, issued by the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC), clarify that the states' two power distribution companies are distinct entities, and each must design and implement their schedule independently.

Source:Mercom

In detail:BERC (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2025

Himachal Pradesh releases Draft Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (Himachal Pradesh Electricity Grid Code) Regulations, 2025. The regulations, issued by the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC), aim at modernizing the state's power system operations and aligning them with national standards. This new framework will replace the previous 2008 regulations.

Source:Solar Quarter

In detail:Draft Himachal Pradesh Electricity Grid Code Regulations, 2025

Maharashtra digitizes and lays down procedures for new electricity connections. To ensure compliance with the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission's (MERC) guidelines for new electricity connections: three days in metropolitan areas, seven days in urban areas, and fifteen days in rural areas, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has introduced procedural reforms supported by digitizing the entire process. The aim is to ensure that there are no delays in new electricity connections being installed.

Source:Indian Express

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Uttar Pradesh approves Rules, 2025 for the Uttar Pradesh Global Capability Centers (GCC) Policy. 2024. Under the rules, a GCC is defined as a captive unit established by an Indian or foreign company to deliver strategic functions such as IT, R&D, finance, HR, design, engineering, analytics, and knowledge services. To attract GCCs, the policy offers a broad incentive package, including land and stamp duty subsidies, capital and interest support, payroll and recruitment incentives, skilling and talent development support, and other case-specific benefits.

Source:Var India

In detail:Cabinet Decision

Tamil Nadu approves the Tamil Nadu Deep Tech Startup Policy, 2025-26. The policy aims to accelerate the innovation and commercialization of advanced technologies and earmarks $11.08 billion (INR 9970 crore) to back 100 startups and strengthen the innovation ecosystem.

Source:Electronics for You Business

In detail: Tamil Nadu Deep Tech Startup Policy 2025-26

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Karnataka eases building regulations for small residential plots in Bengaluru. The Urban Development Department (UDD) has amended the Revised Master Plan (RMP), 2015 to relax "setback rules" for residential buildings constructed on plots up to 2691 square-feet (250 square-meters).

Source:Times of India

In detail:Karnataka gazette notification

Karnataka approves formalizing illegal houses in urban local bodies. The state has decided to issue A-Khata Certificates to properties currently under B-Khata in unauthorized layouts managed by urban local bodies. This applies to buildings, apartments, and flats. A-Khata Certificates are given only to properties in layouts formally approved by the authorities, while B-Khata covers units in layouts without official approval. A 'Khata' is the official property record maintained by the local municipal authority.

Source:Hindustan Times

Infrastructure and Governance

Bihar mandates public grievance hearings under the 'Sabka Samman-Jeevan Aasan' (Respect for All, Easier Lives) scheme. The aim of the scheme is to ensure that those in rural areas are not required to make repeated visits to block and district offices for basic services. As per the scheme, public grievance hearings will be held every Monday and Friday at the panchayat, block, district and state levels, beginning January 19, 2026.

Source:Patna Press

Odisha approves the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy, 2026. The amendment aims to attract investment, promote sustainable tourism, and support balanced regional development. Key amendments include reducing the minimum investment threshold for 3-star and higher hotels and resorts from 50 rooms to 10 and streamlining expansion rules for existing units.

Source:Hans India

Odisha amends the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2023. The amendments aim to streamline the registration of common areas and facilities in apartment complexes. As per this amendment, the "Association of Allottees" will now be required to pay only a nominal stamp duty of $556 (INR 50,000) for registration of the common areas and facilities.

Source:Prameya News

Uttar Pradesh extends stamp duty relief to gift deeds among family members for commercial and industrial properties. Earlier, the stamp duty on commercial properties was levied at 7 percent in urban areas and at 5 percent in rural areas. As per the new policy, stamp duty on gift deeds among family members will be limited to $55.4 (INR 5,000).

Source:Hindustan Times

In detail:Cabinet Decision

Punjab approves the Punjab Private Digital Open Universities Policy, 2026. The policy aims to regulate and promote private digital open universities offering online and Open Distance Learning (ODL) programs.

Source:Millennium Post

Punjab extends its Housing Amnesty Policy, 2025. The policy applies for allotted and auctioned plots under various schemes of the Housing and Urban Development Department. This will allow defaulting allottees of the Special Development Authority to apply one more time under the Amnesty Policy before the cutoff date of March 31, 2026, and deposit their outstanding amount within three months.

Source:The Tribune

In detail: Order

Himachal Pradesh releases a Senior Residency Policy. The policy covers all medical colleges in the state and seeks to streamline the allocation of senior resident posts for better utilization of human resources. The quota for General Duty Officers (GDOs) in senior residency will be increased to 66 percent, up from the current 50:50 split with direct recruitment.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail:Press release

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week.

Programs & Projects