States Weekly: April 1, 2026

Big News: Delhi introduces its Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0; Uttar Pradesh approves an Uttar Pradesh Private Business Park Scheme, 2025; Telangana amends their Building Rules, 2012; Gujarat passes a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026; Jammu and Kashmir passes the Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026; Uttar Pradesh approves a Safe Reuse of Treated Water Policy, 2026; and more.

Health 

Bihar provides free iron therapy to patients suffering from anemia. The treatment is now available at government hospitals with plans to expand to block-level health centers.

Source: Patna Press

Gujarat passes the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The bill removes the deadline of April 30, 2026, for clinical establishments to get registered.

Source: Times of India

Telangana launches the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme. The scheme will provide life insurance of $5,278 (INR 5 lakh) to each of the 11.5 million families in the state.

Source: Hindu Business Line

In detail: Budget Speech 2026-27

Climate Change and Energy

Bihar announces a “Time of Day” (TOD) pricing system. Electricity consumers in Bihar will face higher tariffs during peak evening hours from April 1, 2026, as per an order issued by the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC).

Source: National Herald

In detail: BERC Tariff Order

Delhi introduces its Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0. The new policy focuses on cleaning up the city’s ageing vehicle fleet by scrapping older, polluting vehicles. The policy also offers incentives of up to $1,055 (INR 1 lakh) for private electric cars.

Source: Times of India

Delhi issues (DERC) (Terms and Conditions for Open Access) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2026. The regulations, issued by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) focus on how additional surcharges are applied to consumers who choose to buy electricity from sources other than their local distribution companies, such as power exchanges or third-party suppliers.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Open Access) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2026

Delhi launches the “Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme – State Top-Up.” Under the scheme, the state aims to equip 230,000 residential rooftops with solar energy over the next three years.

Source: Saur Energy

In detail: Budget Highlights

Haryana publishes its tariff order for 2026-27. The order, issued by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), continues to offer farmers the heavily subsidized rate of 10 paise per unit for electricity used for tubewell connections.

Source: Devdiscourse

In detail: Tariff order

Karnataka publishes (KERC) Framework for Demand Flexibility (DF) and Demand Side Management (DSM) Regulations, 2026. The regulations, issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), require all power distribution companies in the state to adopt measures that help manage electricity demand in a more efficient and planned manner.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: KERC [Framework for Demand Flexibility (DF) / Demand Side Management (DSM)] Regulations, 2026

Madhya Pradesh publishes its (MPERC) Aggregate Revenue Requirement and Retail Supply Tariff Order for Financial Year 2026-27. The order, issued by the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC), approves higher tariffs for electricity consumers across all categories. The tariff order has raised fixed charges and energy charges for industrial, commercial, and power-intensive consumers.

Source: Mercom

In detail: Tariff Order

Maharashtra lowers tariff rates for consumers of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd from April 1, 2026. Tariff reductions have been approved for residential users and industrial and commercial consumers.

Source: Mumbai live

In detail: Revised Tariff Order – MERC

Telangana announces state-negotiated discounts of up to 20 percent on two and four-wheeler electric vehicles (EVs) for its employees. The scheme is expected to benefit over 500,000 state government employees.

Source: The South First

Himachal Pradesh passes the Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill allows the state to levy a Value Added Tax (VAT) of up to $0.05 (INR 5) per liter on petrol and high-speed diesel.

Source: News on AIR

In detail: Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026

Himachal Pradesh reduces electricity tariffs by USD 0.00011 (INR 0.01) per unit across all consumer categories from April 1, 2026. The revised rates will apply for the 2026-27 financial year, as per the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC).

Source: Times of India

In detail: HPERC Press Note on Tariffs

Jharkhand increases retail electricity tariffs for all categories for the Financial Year (FY) 2026-27. The order, issued by the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC), also increases open access charges, including cross-subsidy surcharges, and wheeling charges.

Source: Mercom

In detail: Tariff Order

Odisha simplifies approval processes to ensure the early execution of piped natural gas (PNG) distribution projects. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have been directed to waive permission fees for laying underground pipelines and related City Gas Distribution (CGD) infrastructure. Additionally, no fresh permission will be required for ongoing work.

Source: The Hawk

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Haryana amends their Industrial Licensing Policy, 2015. The amendments rationalize regulatory provisions, reduce financial burden on developers, and promote planned industrial development across the state.

Source: Rediff

Uttar Pradesh approves an Uttar Pradesh Private Business Park Scheme, 2025. The scheme allows private developers to build business parks on 10 to 20 acres of government land and lease plots to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), knowledge sector firms, and global capability centers, with the government providing the land for 45 years and developers paying a share of lease revenue back to the state.

Source: KNN

In detail: Cabinet Decisions

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Gujarat reduces stamp duty on inheritance-related agricultural land transactions. The measure aims to ease legal processes and financial pressures among farmers.

Source: Ommcom news

In detail: Press Release

Haryana approves a policy to regulate utilization of land earmarked for mixed land use in development plans. Under the new policy, residential, commercial and institutional uses will be permitted without any fixed percentage cap, subject to zoning regulations and planning norms.

Source: Times of India

Telangana amends their Building Rules, 2012. The new rules allow for more flexible development and faster approvals with the aim of fostering more construction activity.

Source: Realty Today

In detail: Telangana Building Rules, 2012 – Amendments

Nagaland announces new Nagaland Registration of Contractors’ Rules, 2025. The revised set of rules introduces higher eligibility thresholds, revised fee structures, and a simplified classification system.

Source: Eastern Mirror

Infrastructure and Governance

Gujarat amends the Gujarat Disturbed Areas Act, 1991. The amendments replace the term “disturbed areas” with “designated areas” and expand the powers of district collectors over property transactions in such areas.

Source: Hindustan Times

Gujarat passes a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026. The bill mandates the registration of marriages, the registration of live-in relationships, and establishes uniform rules for divorce and inheritances.

Source: DD News

In detail: Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026 (in Gujarati)

Maharashtra amends the ‘Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’ (Indian Justice Code) (BNS). The amendments seek to enhance legal protections by prohibiting disclosure of the identities of acid attack victims and penalizing harassment through phone calls, social media, obscene digital communication, and the unauthorized sharing of women’s photos or videos.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

In detail: BharatiyaNagarikSurakshaSanhita (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2026

Uttar Pradesh published draft Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. The draft rules aim to formally regulate aggregators, delivery platforms, and e-commerce-linked mobility services under the Motor Vehicles framework.

Source: Nasscom

In detail: The Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicle (Aggregator And Delivery Services Provider) Rules, 2026

Jammu and Kashmir passes the Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. The bill seeks to decriminalize and rationalize minor offences.

Source: Kashmir Observer

In detail: Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 (L.A. Bill No. 01 of 2026)

Jammu and Kashmir passes the Jammu and Kashmir Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy Act, 2026. The bill seeks to amend existing laws which contain provisions that discriminate against persons affected by leprosy

Source: Kashmir observer

In detail: Jammu and Kashmir Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons Affected By Leprosy Act, 2026

Nagaland passes the Nagaland Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026. The bill seeks to decriminalize and rationalize minor offences.

Source: The Print

Odisha publishes a three-year excise policy. The policy introduces a 0.5 per cent “de-addiction tax” on alcohol and bars new liquor stores from opening up. The policy will remain in force from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029.

Source: Business Standard

In detail: Excise Policy

Punjab launches the ‘Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana’ (Chief Minister Mother-Daughter Honour Scheme). The scheme will ensure monthly assistance of $10.55 (INR 1,000) to women and $15.83 (INR 1,500) to women from Scheduled Castes.

Source: The Tribune

Meghalaya issues the Meghalaya Registration of Private Coaching Centre Rules, 2026. The rules mandate all private coaching institutes to register with the state government.

Source: North East Today

In detail: Press Release

Water and Sanitation

Uttar Pradesh approves a Safe Reuse of Treated Water Policy, 2026. By promoting the reuse of treated water, the policy aims to substantially reduce dependence on freshwater sources and curb excessive groundwater extraction.

Source: Down to Earth

In detail: Cabinet Decisions

Center – State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Meghalaya approves new legislation passed by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) barring non-tribals from contesting the council elections. The GHADC will only allow members of Scheduled Tribes (ST) to contest council elections.

Source: India Today