States Weekly: October 1, 2025

Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario

Published October 1, 2025

Big News: Kerala announces the launch of NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs) Care; Andhra Pradesh announces a reduction in Power Tariffs; Tamil Nadu approves (TNERC) Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2025; Bihar launches 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana' (Chief Minister's Scheme for Women); Odisha announces WhatsApp Chatbot Governance; and more.

Health 

Gujarat launches the Gujarat Karmayogi Health Security Scheme (G-Category). The scheme is tailored to benefit officers of the All-India Services on duty in Gujarat, as well as state government employees, pensioners, and their families. The scheme provides cashless medical coverage of up to $11,275 (INR 10 lakh).

Source: The Hans India

In detail: CMO Press Release

Kerala announces the launch of NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs) Care. The new policy provides a comprehensive health and accident insurance scheme exclusively for Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) and Keralite students studying abroad. The scheme will be operational from November 1, 2025. Under this scheme, NRKs and students abroad holding NORKA ID cards will receive $5,637 (INR 5 lakh) health insurance and $11,275 (INR 10 lakh) accident cover when in India. The scheme features low premiums, coverage for pre-existing diseases, and no waiting periods, ensuring immediate access to medical care.

Source: India Today

In detail: Press Release

Punjab announces Free Health Insurance. The new health insurance scheme, free of charge for every family in the state, provides coverage up to $11,275 (INR 10 lakh). The registration process for those wishing to avail of the scheme will start in Taran Taran and Barnala districts, where special health camps will be established.

Source: Mint

In detail: Punjab Order (Part 1 and 2)

Climate Change and Energy

Andhra Pradesh announces a reduction in Power Tariffs. Tariffs are to be reduced by $0.0014 (INR 13 paise) per unit from November 2025.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

In detail: APERC Order

Gujarat imposes GERC Surcharges. The surcharges, issued by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC), impose an additional surcharge of $0.011 (INR 1)/kWh on open access consumers for six months starting in October 2025. The additional surcharge will apply to consumers of the four state-owned distribution companies - Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company, Madhya Gujarat Vij Company, Paschim Gujarat Vij Company, and Uttar Gujarat Vij Company - who procure electricity through open access from sources other than their respective distribution companies.

Source: Mercom

In detail: GERC order

Maharashtra approves Thermal Power Procurement. The order, issued by Maharasthra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), is based on petitions filed by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) regarding the procurement of medium-term power. The petitions highlighted the need to ensure reliable supply for the state in the coming years, while also showing a clear long-term direction toward renewable energy, especially solar. MSEDCL sought approval for bidding documents and the adoption of tariffs discovered through competitive bidding for the procurement of 993 megawatts of thermal power for a period of five years, beginning November 1, 2025, and ending October 31, 2030.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission's order

Tamil Nadu approves (TNERC) Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2025. These regulations, issued by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC), have been introduced to provide non-discriminatory open access for renewable energy through intra-state transmission and distribution systems, including incidental use linked to inter-state transmission.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2025

Assam issues draft (AERC) Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Open Access) Regulations, 2024, (First Amendment), 2025. The regulations, issued by the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) amend 2024 regulations governing open access to the state's electricity grid. The update aims to promote renewable energy adoption and simplify access for a broader range of electricity consumers.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Draft Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Open Access) Regulations, 2024, (First Amendment), 2025

Odisha announces enforcement of Vehicle Ban Policy. The state announces plans to ramp up the scrapping of vehicles that are over 15 years old with the aim to reduce vehicular pollution. The initiative will first target government vehicles, followed by private vehicles. The policy comes with provisions for special incentives to purchase new vehicles.

Source: Odisha TV

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations  

Andhra Pradesh publishes Operational Guidelines for Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2024-2029. The state's operational guidelines aim to ensure that incentives and policy benefits are implemented in a smooth, transparent, and timely manner and to streamline coordination between government departments and private tourism enterprises.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Operational Guidelines for Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2024-2029

Andhra Pradesh relaunches stricter Building Penalization Scheme (BPS). The scheme targets unauthorized constructions and deviations from sanctioned building plans up to August 31, 2025. The move follows the previous Building Penalization Scheme (BPS) introduced in 2019, which applied to constructions between 1985 and 2018 but saw low participation due to its voluntary nature.

Source: The Hindu

Kerala launches a Framework for Hi-Tech Manufacturing. The framework seeks to position Kerala as a center for advanced research and development, design and engineering, testing, inspection, and certification services within the manufacturing sector.

Source: Outlook

Odisha releases draft Odisha State Cooperative Policy, 2025. The policy aims to strengthen the cooperative movement in the state. The policy creates a unified marketing brand-under the name of either Utkal or Kalinga-to promote Odisha's products in international markets.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Odisha State Cooperative Policy, 2025 - Draft

Ladakh passes the Union Territory of Ladakh Registration of Contractors Rules, 2025. The rules replace the earlier Jammu and Kashmir Registration of Contractors Rules, 1991 and make contractor registration mandatory for works under various departments, including for roads and buildings, public health engineering, mechanical engineering, power development etc.

Source: Daily Excelsior

In detail: Union Territory of Ladakh Registration of Contractors Rules, 2025

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations  

Andhra Pradesh passes the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non-Agricultural Purposes) (Repeal) Bill, 2025. The bill repeals the Non-Agricultural Lands Assessment (NALA) Act, which laid out a cumbersome process of securing permissions for converting agricultural land for non-agricultural use.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Tripura increases wages and remuneration for Various Categories of Workers. The categories include Daily Rated Workers (DRWs), Monthly Rated Workers (MRWs), contingent and casual workers, part-time workers, permanent labourers, employees in public places of worship, village 'chowkidars' (guards), school mothers, adult literacy teachers, part-time instructors, community health guides, and home guards. The revised rates will come into effect from October 1, 2025.

Source: Tripura Info

In detail: Tripura Finance Dept Memorandum

Infrastructure and Governance

Bihar launches 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana' (Chief Minister's Scheme for Women). The scheme, launched by the Prime Minister, transfers $112.7 (INR 10,000) each to the bank accounts of 7.5 million women in the state. The scheme also promises additional financial support of up to $2,255 (INR 2 lakh) for women to enhance their entrepreneurial skills in the future.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Press release

Delhi approves New Districts and Sub-Divisions. The union territory is set to get two new districts and six new sub-divisions. Once notified, the capital will have 13 revenue districts (up from 11) and 39 sub-divisions (up from 33). The plan also aims to align municipal zones with revenue districts, improving coordination and removing issues of jurisdictional disputes. Source: Times of India

Gujarat approves the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the 'Mukhyamantri Green Ring Road Vikas Yojana' (Chief Minister's Green Ring Road Scheme). The scheme is designed to create climate-resilient and sustainable road infrastructure across the state's municipal corporations. By diverting vehicles away from urban areas via the creation of new roads that divert traffic away from the city center, the scheme seeks to tackle rising traffic while enhancing urban mobility.

Source: Swarajya

In detail: CMO Gujarat Notification

Gujarat approves the creation of 17 New 'Talukas' (Sub-district within a District). The creation of these new talukas aims to decentralize administration and provide more access for citizens to local governance.

Source: Desh Gujarat

In detail: CMO Press release

Haryana launches 'Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana' (Deendayal Young Women's Scheme). The scheme provides $23.67 (INR 2,100) per month as a stipend for women above the age of 23. The money will be transferred digitally, and beneficiaries can register and track redressal of grievances and issues through the new 'Lado Lakshmi App' (Young Women's App).

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana, 2025

Karnataka approves Karnataka State Skill Development Policy. The policy, worth $500 million (INR 4432 crore), covers a 7-year period up to 2032 and is aimed primarily at youngsters. The policy focuses in on framing a Karnataka Skill Index and promote reskilling and upskilling to match rapid technological and industrial changes. It also emphasizes international workforce mobility by facilitating global certifications, migration support, and specialized training.

Source: Deccan Herald

Madhya Pradesh reintroduces the 'Bhavantar Yojana' (Price Difference Scheme). The scheme aims to compensate soybean-producing farmers if they receive low prices for their produce in the market. The registration process for the scheme will begin soon.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Madhya Pradesh Government Notification

Uttar Pradesh approves Paddy Procurement Policy. The policy, formulated under the Price Support Scheme, provides a set price for common and Grade-A paddy.

Source: Statesman

In detail: Cabinet decisions

Odisha announces WhatsApp Chatbot Governance. The new policy allows access to a range of citizen-centric services, including birth and income certificates, inter-caste marriage benefits, government scheme incentives, and applications for driving and fertilizer licences, through WhatsApp. The chatbot, named 'Ama Sathi' (My Companion), will make 120 services available across the state.

Source: New Indian Express

Punjab announces amendment to Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Rules, 1964. The amendment will allow the state to claim penalty charges for illegally occupied land, originally earmarked for village common roads and watercourses.

Source: Times of India

Uttarakhand approves Uttarakhand Aroma Revolution Policy 2026-2036. Under the first phase of the policy, 22,750 hectares of land will be brought under aromatic crops through 91,000 beneficiaries. Farmers will be provided subsidies of up to 80 percent on cultivation costs for one hectare and 50 percent on costs beyond one hectare.

Source: First India

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations   

The Union government extends the validity of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Manipur for six-months. AFSPA has also been extended to nine districts in Nagaland and 21 police station areas in five other districts of the state for six months, according to a notification issued by the Union government. The law was also extended to Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and three police station areas bordering Assam, in Namsai district.

Source: NDTV

In detail: AFSPA Notification - Manipur, AFSPA Notification - Arunachal Pradesh,

AFSPA Notification - Nagaland

Any Other

Telangana announces a Free Breakfast Scheme. The scheme, which applies to children enrolled in government schools, will be introduced from the coming academic year (2025-2026). The state hopes that free breakfast will help children concentrate in school and reduce illnesses due to malnutrition.

Source: The News Minute

Programs & Projects