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01/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/28/2026 10:52
States Weekly: January 28, 2026
States Weekly: January 28, 2026
Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario
Published January 28, 2026
Big News: Odisha bans tobacco and nicotine products; Delhi simplifies procedures for installing solar plants on agricultural land; Telangana releases its Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy 2026-30; Rajasthan approves its first Semiconductor Policy; Tamil Nadu passes the Tamil Nadu Water Resources (Regulation, Management and Augmentation) Bill, 2026; and more.
Health
Karnataka includes Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka Health Insurance Scheme. IVIG is used to treat the Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).
Source: Times of India
In detail: Karnataka Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Therapy - Notification
Kerala increases coverage cap for the Medisep Medical Insurance Scheme. The scheme is mainly for government employees, pensioners and their dependents. The scheme now offers free treatment coverage of up to $5,450 (INR 5 lakh) per year, an increase from the earlier cap of $3,270 (INR 3 lakh).
Source: Economic Times
Odisha bans tobacco and nicotine products. The policy imposes new rules ordering a complete ban on the manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of all products containing tobacco or nicotine.
Source: Economic Times
In detail: Tobacco ban (1)& (2)
Punjab launches the 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY)' (Chief Minister's Good Health Scheme). The scheme extends free cashless medical treatment of up to $10,907 (INR 10 lakh) to every family in the state.
Source: Times of India
In detail: MukhMantriSehatYojna
Climate Change and Energy
Delhi simplifies procedures for installing solar plants on agricultural land. The government clarifies that elevated solar systems do not violate the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, removing the need for "Change in Land Use" (CLU) applications. Under the clarified policy, farmers can now install elevated solar panels above their land without a CLU application.
Source: Times of India
Delhi releases the (DERC)Seventh Amendment to its Guidelines for Group Net Metering (GNM) and Virtual Net Metering (VNM). The amendment, issued by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), aims to ensure that renewable energy, especially rooftop solar, becomes more accessible and affordable for consumers across Delhi. One of the key changes introduced through this amendment is the expansion of the Virtual Net Metering Framework.
Source: Solar Quarter
Tamil Nadu announces a "Repowering Policy" for windmills. The policy states that for wind energy generators commissioned before April 1, 2016, the windmill owners must opt for repowering, refurbishment, or life extension on the completion of 20 years of operational life.
Source: The Hindu
In detail: Government order
Tamil Nadu launches the Tamil Nadu Renewable Energy Land Portal and Rooftop Solar Explorer (RTSE). The portal aims to help investors easily identify and access land required for setting up solar and other renewable energy projects. The online platform aims to simplify procedures, reduce delays, and help speed up project implementation.
Source: New Indian Express
In detail: Press release (in Tamil)
Finance
Nothing critical to report this week.
Industrial Policy and Business Regulations
Uttarakhand revises rules under the Uttarakhand Tour and Travel Business Policy, 2014. The policy mandates that all tourism-related businesses must register and renew their license every five years, including homestays which were earlier exempt.
Source: Indian masterminds
Telangana releases its Next-Gen Life Sciences Policy 2026-30. The policy outlines Telangana's approach to its role in global healthcare, therapeutics, and bio-manufacturing. The policy signals a shift from scale-based manufacturing to innovation-led growth and positions Telangana as an integrated life sciences hub spanning discovery, development and deployment. It aims to attract USD 25 billion in investments, create 500,000 jobs, and strengthen integration into global life sciences value chains.
Source: Express Healthcare
In detail: Press Release
Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations
Karnataka launches an "Auto Land Conversion System" for renewable energy (RE) projects. Renewable energy projects do not require land conversion approval in the state and applications for projects must be processed within 30 days. If a District Commissioner does not approve an online application within this period, the land conversion will be automatically approved through the new online system.
Source: New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu announces pension increases from $37 (INR 3,400) from $21.8 (INR 2,000) per month. The new pension increases benefit noon meal organizers (school food preparation workers), 'Anganwadi' workers (community health staff), and 'panchayat' (local government) secretaries.
Source: Deccan Herald
In detail: Press release (in Tamil)
Puducherry increases cap on housing subsidies. The government has decided to increase the subsidy component to $7,635 (INR 7 lakh) for Scheduled Caste (SC) and to $6,817 (INR 6.25 lakh) for general category beneficiaries for the construction of houses in the Union Territory.
Source: The Hindu
Infrastructure and Governance
Rajasthan clarifies rules on child marriages. The rules clarify that a male below 21 years of age and a female below 18 years of age will fall under the category of child marriage.
Source: Patrika
In detail: Cabinet decisions
Rajasthan approves its first Semiconductor Policy. This policy focuses on providing attractive incentives to projects approved under the India Semiconductor Mission.
Source: Patrika
In detail: Cabinet decisions
Assam launches the 'Atal Vichal Agragami Assam Scheme' (Atal Visionary Leader Assam Scheme). The state will provide monthly financial assistance of $272.6 (INR 25,000) to research scholars, while some research scholars will receive a higher stipend of $436 (INR 40,000) per month.
Source: Economic Times
Goa retains the "No-detention Policy" for students of grade V and VIII for the academic year 2026-27. The policy ensures that no child will be held back on account of academic underperformance.
Source: Goemkarponn
Himachal Pradesh approves an "Orphan and Widow" cess on gas purchases. The cess will be applied on petrol and high-speed diesel at the point of first sale within the state. The new policy aims to generate additional funds to strengthen welfare schemes benefiting orphans and widows.
Source: The Hindu
In detail: Cabinet decisions
Jharkhand approves the Jharkhand Coaching Center (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2025. The bill provides for the registration, control, regulation, and determination of minimum standards for coaching centers in the state.
Source: Times of India
Water and Sanitation
Tamil Nadu passes the Tamil Nadu Water Resources (Regulation, Management and Augmentation) Bill, 2026. The bill provides for a Constitution of the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Management Authority (TNWRMA), district committees, and the formulation of State and District Water Resources Management Plans.
Source: The Hindu
In detail: Tamil Nadu Water Resources (Regulation, Management and Augmentation) Bill, 2026 (in Tamil)
Center - State Relations
The Union government releases a draft National Electricity Policy, 2026. The policy proposes strict norms for power tariff determination, a framework for sweeping structural reforms to improve the financial health of discoms, financing requirements, and suggestions on long-term generation and transmission planning.
Source: Economic Times
In detail: Draft Electricity Policy, 2026
Any Other
Karnataka issues draft rules specifying the quotas for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders in medical education. As per the draft, OCI's born on or before March 4, 2021, or being a OCI cardholder before the said date, will not be entitled for any reservation that is applicable to a citizen of India.
Source: Deccan Herald
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