Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario

Published December 10, 2025

Big News: Odisha approves the Odisha Pharma and Medical Device Policy, 2025; Telangana releases its Quantum Strategy (TQS); Himachal Pradesh passes the Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Odisha passes the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Amendment Bill, 2025; and more.

Health

Jharkhand screens for Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease. Every resident of Jharkhand will be eligible to be screened, and the state will fully cover treatment expenses for those diagnosed.

Source: News Arena

Odisha approves the Odisha Pharma and Medical Device Policy, 2025. The new policy establishes an Odisha Pharma Park and Odisha MedTech Park. The Odisha Pharma Development Cell will serve as the Nodal Agency.

Source: Times of India

Punjab launches a Mental Health Program. The program plans to bring in 35 mental healthcare professionals from across the country and abroad to prevent, treat, and rehabilitate those struggling with mental health and substance abuse problems in Punjab's 23 districts.

Source: Times of India

Karnataka amends its Menstrual Leave Policy. The new policy now includes government and public sector employees, in addition to private sector employees. The policy continues to allow one-day paid menstrual leave per month.

Source: News Minute

In detail: Order (1) and (2)

Climate Change and Energy

Bihar announces Discounts for Users of Smart Prepaid Meters. Electricity consumers will now receive a discount of 0.25 INR (USD 0.0028) if they pay their bills on time.

Source: Patna Press

Delhi announces mandatory installation of Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS). As many as 2,254 industries with air pollution potential will have to install these mitigating devices in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) by December 31, 2025, or face penalties and/or closure.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Press Release

Gujarat amends (GERC) Net Metering Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems (Fifth Amendment) Regulations, 2016. The regulations issued by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) introduce changes aimed at streamlining rooftop solar installations across the state. The amendment removes the requirement for a separate written connectivity agreement between consumers and distribution companies (DISCOMs) for systems installed under the 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana' (Prime Minister's Solar Home Free Electricity Scheme).

Source: Energetica

In detail: GERC (Net Metering Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems) (Fifth Amendment) Regulations, 2025

Madhya Pradesh releases Draft Sixth Amendment to (MPERC) Terms and Conditions for Intra-State Open Access, 2021. Under the amendment, issued by the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission's (MPERC), all eligible consumers with a contract demand with their distribution licensee must explicitly indicate in their application whether they intend to avail open access up to their existing contract demand or beyond it.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Draft Sixth amendment to MPERC (Terms and Conditions for Intra-State Open Access in Madhya Pradesh) (Revision-I) Regulations, 2021{RG-24(I) of 2021}

Maharashtra issues a Bamboo Industry Policy, 2025. The policy mandates all public and private Thermal Power Projects to blend 5-7 percent bamboo biomass with conventional coal. The policy aims to reduce pollution, promote green energy, and encourage the cultivation of bamboo.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Bamboo Industry Policy 2025

Chhattisgarh announces a new Half Electricity Bill Scheme. The scheme, applicable from December 1, 2025, gives a 50 percent discount to domestic households consuming up to 200 units of electricity per month.

Source: The Statesman

In detail: Cabinet Decisions

Manipur adopts the Union Government's End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) Policy. ELVs include vehicles that have failed mandatory fitness and pollution tests and/or have been declared irreparable due to fires, accidents, or other severe damage. All ELVs will have their registrations cancelled.

Source: India Today

In detail: Manipur Electric Vehicle Notification

Uttarakhand adopts UERC (Tariff and Other Terms for Supply of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources and Non-Fossil Fuel based Co-Generating Stations) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025. The Second Amendment, issued by the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) includes changes to the nomenclature of the principal regulations, formal additions of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) definitions, and BESS life, depreciation, and tariff norms.

Source: Mercom

In detail: UERC (Tariff and Other Terms for Supply of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources and non-fossil fuel based Co-generating Stations) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Andhra Pradesh introduces a Neighborhood Workspace (NWS) Policy 2025-2030. Under the new policy, small "co-working spaces" will be established in neighborhoods with essential office supplies and equipment.

Source: Gulte

In detail: Andhra Pradesh Neighborhood Workspace Policy 2025- 30

Andhra Pradesh establishes Economic Development Zones. The reorganization divides the state into three economic regions: the North Coastal, Central Coastal, and Rayalaseema Zones, each with their own administrative and development offices.

Source: Swarajyamag

Delhi permits Single Window System for Payment of Trade License Fee and Property Tax. Traders can now pay for trade licenses along with property tax through a Single Window System. The license fee has been fixed at 15 percent of the property tax applicable for the premises.

Source: Indian Express

Rajasthan approves Multiple Policies.

The Rajasthan Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Ordinance, 2025 aims to reduce penalties for minor offenses and decrease regulation to promote business-friendly policies.

The Non-Resident Rajasthani (NRR) Policy, 2025 creates an NRR Investment Facilitation Office to encourage diaspora groups to invest and remain connected with their home-state.

The Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy, 2025 aims to bolster retail and wholesale sectors, improve credit availability, support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), and simplify compliance norms.

Lastly, the Rajasthan Tourism Policy, 2025 aims to establish a single-window clearance system for tourism projects to encourage improvement in infrastructure.

Source: Free Press Journal

In detail: Press Release

Telangana releases its Quantum Strategy (TQS). The policy aims to position Telangana as a hub for quantum technologies via partnerships between government, industry, and academic institutions. Hyderabad will be developed as a "Quantum City" to support these partnerships.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

In detail: Telangana Quantum Strategy, Press release

Himachal Pradesh passes the Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill permits an increase in permissible overtime, raising the limit from 50 to 144 hours per quarter and narrows registration requirements to establishments employing only more than 10 people.

Source: The Tribune

In detail: Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025

Odisha passes the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Amendment Bill, 2025. The bill allows women to work at night in commercial establishments and extends the maximum daily work hours in all categories of commercial establishments from 9 to 10 hours.

Source: Kalinga TV

In detail: Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Amendment Bill, 2025

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Odisha allows for the Resale of Apartments Built Before 2016. The new rules override ambiguous provisions in the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2023, which made it challenging to register Deeds of Transfer for pre-2016 constructions.

Source: New Indian Express

In detail: Odisha Special Order (1) & (2)

Infrastructure and Governance

Madhya Pradesh passes the Madhya Pradesh Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill permits direct elections for the chairpersons of Municipal Councils and 'Nagar Parishads' (Municipal Bodies).

Source: Free Press Journal

In detail: Madhya Pradesh Municipalities (Amendment) Bill 2025

Madhya Pradesh amends Film Tourism Policy. The amendments include a Single-Window System for filming permissions, and up to INR 90 crore (USD 9.99 million) in financial incentives for infrastructure development. Feature films shot in the state will be eligible for incentives of up to INR 2 crore ($222,190).

Source: Business Standard

In detail: Madhya Pradesh Film Policy

Assam amends the Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam, 2017. The policy had originally promoted a "two-child norm" for Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and the Moran and Matak communities. These groups will now remain eligible for government employment, contesting elections, and receiving Self-Help Group (SHG) incentives under the new "three-child norm."

Source: Times of India

In detail: Government Order

Himachal Pradesh passes the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill extends the tenure of mayors and deputy mayors from 2.5 to 5 years.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2025

Odisha passes the Odisha Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025. The bill amends 16 laws across 9 government departments and completely removes imprisonment provisions for the Odisha Gambling Prevention Act, 1955, replacing them with monetary penalties ranging from INR 5,000 to INR 75,000 (USD 55.54 to USD 833.20).

Source: Pragativadi

In detail: Odisha Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Andhra Pradesh amends the Fire Services Act, 1999. The amendments align state policy with the National Building Code and the new Andhra Pradesh Building Rules. The No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for construction of buildings will now be entirely online, and the approval timeline has been cut from 60 to 21 days.

Source: Times of India

Programs & Projects