Newsletter by Sakshi Kataria and Shashwat Kumar

Published July 23, 2025

Big News: Delhi amends the Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2023, Bihar approves the draft Bihar Pump Storage Project Promotion Policy, 2025, Rajasthan approves the Rajasthan City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy, 2025, Odisha amends the Odisha Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy, 2023, Chhattisgarh approves 'Jan Vishwas Bill', Meghalaya notifies the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), Goa rolls out Goa AI Mission 2027; and more

Health 

Nothing critical to report this week

Climate Change and Energy

Karnataka issues the Intra-State Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters Regulations, 2025. The new regulations issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) establishes a commercial mechanism to ensure grid users' adherence to scheduled electricity injection and drawal and maintain grid security and stability.

Source: Mercom

In Detail: KERC (Intra- State Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations 2025

Delhi amends the Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2023. The amendment notified by the state government increases the state capital subsidy for residential rooftop solar systems to INR 10,000 (~$116.28) per kW, capped at INR 30,000 (~$348.84) for systems with a capacity of up to 3 kW. The amendment also introduces a new capital subsidy for group housing societies (GHS) and resident welfare associations (RWAs).

Source: Mercom

In detail: Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2023

Andhra Pradesh simplifies Getting New Electricity Connections. The state regulator, Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC), has fixed connection charges for new or additional loads up to 150 kW to streamline electricity connections for small and medium consumers. These charges will only apply when the service location lies within 1 km of an electrified network.

Source: Mercom

In detail: APERC regulation

Bihar approves the draft Bihar Pump Storage Project Promotion Policy, 2025. To attract investors the new policy offers incentives such as exemption from water cess during the initial reservoir filling, concessions on intra-state transmission charges, no contribution towards Local Area Development Fund, and no demand of any free royalty power from these projects by the state government.

Source: Patna Press

In detail: Bihar Pumped Storage Projects Promotion Policy - 2025

Delhi extends its Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, 2020. The state government has extended its EV policy by four months, pushing the new deadline to November 15, as a draft of the new policy is still under review and awaiting approval. Delhi's EV Policy 2020 lapsed in 2023 but has been extended several times since.

Source: Hindustan Times

In Detail: Delhi Electric Vehicles Policy, 2020

Maharashtra adopts a comprehensive policy to Plant Indigenous Trees. The new policy initiative by the Public Works Department aims to enhance ecological balance and combat climate change by planting indigenous trees along all national and state highways, major road projects, and rural thoroughfares. The policy also revises the funding model for tree plantation from Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model to a new five distinct stage model where funds will be released only upon the successful completion of each phase.

Source: Urban Acres

In Detail: Road Sector Policy, Road Network Master Plan (RNMP) and Core Road Network (CRN) for Maharashtra (2025-2047)

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations 

Rajasthan approves the Rajasthan City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy, 2025. The policy seeks to strengthen the gas-based energy framework within the state. To streamline the regulatory process, the policy introduces simplified and time-bound procedures for City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies.

Source: Economic Times

In Detail: Press Release

Rajasthan approves the draft Medical Value Travel Policy, 2025. The policy also known as Heal in Rajasthan Policy is aimed at developing the state as a destination for accessible and affordable medical services. The state government will establish a Medical Value Travel (MVT) cell to certify facilitators and service providers.

Source: First India

In Detail: Press release

Odisha amends the Odisha Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy, 2023. The state government has made 16 significant changes in the policy including a special package for first few projects in each category, enhanced performance-linked incentives (PLI), relocation support for units shifting to Odisha, and incentives for semiconductor park developers. The amendment also strengthens the provisions for R&D and workforce skilling.

Source: New Indian Express

In Detail: Odisha Semiconductor manufacturing and Fabless Policy - 2023

Chhattisgarh approves 'Jan Vishwas Bill'. The bill approved by the state assembly amends 163 provisions across 8 acts such as Urban Administration Department laws, Society Registration Act, Chhattisgarh Industrial Relations Act, Chhattisgarh Excise Act to decriminalise minor technical violations by citizens and business owners with an aim to lessen non-essential legal burdens and encouraging voluntary compliance.

Source: New Indian Express

In detail: Public trust bill passed in Chhattisgarh (Press release)

Goa rolls out Goa AI Mission 2027. Under this mission the state government has set up AI Advisory Council to provide strategic direction and ensure consistent implementation across domains. The next step for the state government is to formulate Goa AI Policy.

Source: Business Standard

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations 

Puducherry notifies scheme to Regularise Unauthorised Buildings and Structures. The scheme approved by the state government allows authorization of buildings and structures that were built in deviation of the plan approved by the authorities as a one-time measure after paying a fee.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Puducherry One-Time Regularization Scheme for the unpermitted constructions and deviations 2025

Infrastructure and Governance

Tamil Nadu launches 'Ungaludan Stalin' (Stalin with you). The outreach programme launched by the state government aims to take government services to the people and redress grievances by organising special camps in their neighbourhoods.

Source: The Tribune

In Detail: Press Release

Bihar unifies Value Added Tax (VAT) on Natural Gas. The state government's decision to make the tax rate equal on domestic and commercial sales of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) will provide relief to small consumers as GAIL and other City Gas Distribution companies will be able to provide CNG and PNG to consumers at cheaper rates by paying tax at the same rate.

Source: Rozanna

In Detail: Bihar unifies VAT on Natural Gas

Delhi notifies Delhi Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2025. The rules notified by the Social Welfare Department provides for the issuance of identity cards to transgenders and forming a welfare board to ensure their well-being.

Source: Business Standard

In detail: Delhi Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2025

Haryana launches the 'Haryana Contractor Saksham Yuva Scheme'. The scheme launched by the state government is aimed at providing skill training and employment opportunities to ITI, diploma and engineering graduates in the state. Under the scheme, the eligible candidates will undergo 90-day training at Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, Palwal. On successful completion, they will be empanelled as contractors on Haryana Engineering Works Portal (HEWP).

Source: The Tribune

In Detail: Press Release

Assam exempts hydrocarbon exploration and production activities from the purview of the Assam Reclassification and Reclassification-cum-Transfer of Lands Act, 2015. The move aims to ease land access for energy companies and fast-track strategic hydrocarbon projects bringing in more money for the state, improve the country's energy security, and make it easier to do business.

Source: Swarajya

Kerala approves several key policy proposals. In a series of policy decisions aimed at enhancing educational infrastructure, financial relief measures, rural electrification and administrative efficiency across various sectors, the state government approved the establishment of a Model Residential School under the Scheduled Caste Development Department; alleviated the financial burden of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC) by waiving of the outstanding loans enabling them to focus resources on service improvement and operational sustainability; recommended electrification of 1,137 Scheduled Caste households across Kerala under the centrally sponsored scheme 'Dharthi Aab Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan' (DA-JGUA); and created a superintendent position within the Kannur Mental Health Review Board to improve governance and oversight in mental health services.

Source: Deshabhimani

In Detail: Kerala cabinet decisions

Meghalaya notifies the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). The state government has established the RERA under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 with an aim to promote fair practices, protect homebuyers' interests, resolve disputes efficiently, and boost investor confidence by streamlining project approvals and enforcing compliance.

Source: Business Standard

In Detail: Press Release

Odisha launches the 'Shaktishri' Programme. The initiative launched by the state government aims to ensure a safe and empowering environment for students and to prevent any form of harassment on campuses. The initiative will be implemented in 16 universities and 730 government and aided colleges under the state's Higher Education Department. Source: United News of India

In detail:

Uttar Pradesh launches Skill training for economically vulnerable families. The initiative launched under the state government's Zero Poverty Campaign aims to provide skill training and assistance in securing jobs to the members of identified families and link economically vulnerable families with stable livelihood opportunities, ensuring a steady income and a better quality of life.

Source: The Print

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week

Center - State Relations 

Nothing critical to report this week

Any Other

The Ministry of Power launches Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments (ADEETIE) scheme. The scheme will be implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and aims to provide financial and technical assistance to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in adopting cleaner and energy-efficient technologies through interest subvention on loans, investment grade energy audits, preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs), and post-implementation monitoring and verification.

Source: Economic Times

In Detail: Press Release

The Ministry of Heavy Industries initiates the Automotive Mission Plan 2047 (AMP 2047). The plan focuses on innovation, sustainability, and enhanced global trade share in the automotive sector. The initiative involves coordination among multiple government ministries, and brings together key industry bodies such as SIAM, ACMA, CII, and FICCI, along with academic institutions, research organizations, and testing agencies.

Source: Autocar Professional

In Detail: Press Release

The Union Government approves the Prime Minister 'Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana' (PMDDKY). The scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity, increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block levels, improve irrigation facilities and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit.

Source: Hindustan Times

In Detail: Press Release

Karnataka issues the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025. The draft rules issued to amend the Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 2014 set a maximum ticket price of Rs 200 per show, inclusive of entertainment tax, for all films and theatres regardless of whether they are multiplexes or not, regardless of the film's language.

Source: NDTV

In Detail: Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 (1), Karnataka Cinemas (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 (2)

Programs & Projects