State Legislation Quarterly Roundup | July-September 2025: Kerala’s Factory Law Overhaul, Himachal’s Digital Summons, Andhra’s Witness Protection Scheme, and More

July to September 2025 witnessed a wave of impactful legal reforms across Indian states, reflecting a growing commitment to digital governance, social equity, and administrative efficiency. From Kerala’s factory law overhaul and Rajasthan’s GST amendments to Himachal Pradesh’s e-process rules, Punjab’s Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, and Karnataka’s Stamp (Digital e-Stamp) Rules, governments are modernizing systems to better serve citizens. This roundup captures key legislation, rules, and policy updates notified by states including Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, and more.

Top Stories:

• No More Excess Fee; Parents Gain a Say: Inside Delhi’s School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025

  On 14-8-2025, the Department of Law, Justice and Legislative Affairs issued Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025 to bring about transparency in the matter of fixation, regulation and collection of fees by schools in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Read more.

• Delhi BNSS (Service of Summons and Warrants) Rules, 2025 repeal earlier Service of Summons Rules

  On 13-8-2025, the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi notified the Delhi BNSS (Service of Summons and Warrants) Rules, 2025 to repeal the Delhi BNSS (Service of Summons) Rules, 2025. The provisions came into effect on 14-8-2025. Read more

• Delhi Govt. notifies Rules to empower Transgender Persons through inclusive governance, schemes, and equal opportunity.

  On 11-7-2025, the Delhi Government notified the Delhi Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2025 to promote the social inclusion of transgender persons, raise public awareness about their rights, and facilitate access to welfare schemes in Delhi. These Rules came into effect on 11-7-2025. Read More

Bills/Ordinances:

• Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024

  On 11-7-2025, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly introduced Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, to strengthen the State’s ability to curb unlawful organizations and safeguard public security. The Bill empowers the Government to declare any organization as unlawful by notification, with oversight from an Advisory Board. It outlines detailed procedures for the seizure, forfeiture, and management of assets and premises linked to such organizations, while ensuring due process through representation and appeal mechanisms. The provisions criminalize various forms of involvement in unlawful organizations and restrict legal challenges to official actions taken under the Act.

• Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025

  On 24-7-2025, the Uttarakhand notified the Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, that amends the Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand Act, 2024. A significant change introduced through this Ordinance is the extension of procedural timelines from six months to one year across various personal civil matters, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and live-in relationships. By expanding these timelines in Sections 7, 10, and 11, the amendment offers greater flexibility and clarity for citizens, enabling more practical and inclusive compliance with the Code’s registration and verification requirements.

State Amendments:

• Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers’ (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Karnataka (Amendment) Rules, 2025

  On 16-7-2025, the Government of Karnataka notified the Building and Other Construction Workers’ (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Karnataka (Amendment) Rules, 2025 to introduce significant changes to worker compensation and protection. Rule 44 has been amended to increase the financial benefit from ₹71,000 to ₹1,46,000. Rule 47 has been revised to clarify that if a registered construction worker dies due to a workplace accident, the nominee will receive compensation. Additionally, a new provision grants a fixed sum of ₹8 lakh to the nominee in such cases. These amendments aim to strengthen financial security and welfare measures for construction workers in Karnataka, effective from 16-7-2025.

• Rajasthan Agricultural Produce Markets (Amendment) Rules, 2025

  On 15-7-2025, the Government of Rajasthan notified the Rajasthan Agricultural Produce Markets (Amendment) Rules, 2025, allowing Warehouse Development Regulatory Authority (‘WDRA’) registered warehouses, cold storages, or silos to be officially declared as private sub-market yards. A new provision, Rule 56-AA, allows WDRA-registered warehouses, cold storages, or silos to become deemed private sub-market yards. Applicants will be required to submit Form XI-A and pay the prescribed fee. Upon approval, licenses are issued in Form XII-A for up to three years, with renewal options. A bank guarantee will be deposited before business operations begin. Licensees will collect and deposit market and Krishak Kalyan fees, exempting farmer sellers, and operations will follow prescribed protocols through eNAM or similar platforms, documented in Form XXI-A.

• Chhattisgarh Contingency Fund Rules, 2025

  On 8-7-2025, the Chhattisgarh Government announced the Chhattisgarh Contingency Fund Rules, 2025, extending their applicability across the entire State. These Rules define the procedures for granting temporary advances from the Contingency Fund to address urgent and unforeseen expenses not covered in the annual budget. Applications for advances will justify the expenditure and its immediacy, and once legislative approval is secured, funds are reimbursed. The Rules outline detailed protocols for sanctions, cancellations, accounting, and reporting, ensuring financial transparency and discipline in managing emergency fiscal requirements.

• Punjab Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council (Amendment) Rules, 2025

  On 8-7-2025, the Government of Punjab notified Punjab Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council (Amendment) Rules, 2025, to introduce provisions regarding recovery of amount due as arrears. This amendment revises the Punjab Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council Rules, 2021to empower district Collectors to enforce final awards or orders issued under Chapter V of the MSME Act. Such decisions, whether by the Facilitation Council or approved ADR bodies, will now be executed as arrears of land revenue. Recovery will follow procedures under the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887. This amendment provides a more effective mechanism for MSMEs to recover delayed payments.

• Amendment to Ladakh Legal Services Authorities Rules:

  On 25-7-2025, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, amended the Union Territory of Ladakh Legal Services Authorities Rules, 2020. This amendment expands the list of members constituting the District Legal Services Authority. By adding the Secretary of the Zila Sainik Board as a Member, the Legal Services Authority ensures that the concerns of military veterans and their families are reflected in legal aid decision-making.

• Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime (Amendment) Act, 2025

  On 30-7-2025, the Maharashtra Government notified the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime (Amendment) Act, 2025. The amendment revises the definition of “organised crime” under Section 2(e) to include commercial-scale narcotics activities. It now covers drug cultivation, production, trafficking, and storage in violation of the NDPS Act, 1985, when done for financial gain. This addition complements the existing focus on violence, coercion, and insurgency. The expanded scope strengthens the legal framework to tackle evolving forms of organised criminal networks.

• Gujarat Service of Summons Rules, 2025

  On 2-8-2025, the Gujarat Government announced the Gujarat Service of Summons Rules, 2025, extending their applicability across the entire state. These rules streamline the process of serving summons under Section 64(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Summons can now be delivered physically or via electronic communication, including email or secure portals. Police stations will be required to maintain a detailed summons register in the format prescribed in Annexure-A, with updates required within 24 hours. Digital summons will carry the court’s seal and proof of delivery. Non-compliance by officers can lead to disciplinary action.

• Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025

  On 28-8-2025, the Punjab Government notified Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025. The Act now applies to establishments with 20 or more workers, while smaller ones follow Section 13A until they cross that threshold. Employers will have to register within six months, and certificates are issued within 24 hours or deemed granted. Working hours have been extended, and penalties for violations significantly increased. A new provision allows compounding of offences, and the Schedule to the principal Act has been omitted. This Act will come into force on 29-8-2025.

• Karnataka Stamp (Digital e-Stamp) Rules, 2025

  On 7-8-2025, the Karnataka Government announced the Karnataka Stamp (Digital e-Stamp) Rules, 2025, enabling a fully digital stamp duty system. Users will be required to register on the government’s e-Stamp application and enter complete instrument details digitally. Stamp duty is calculated and paid online, after which a Digital e-Stamp with a unique number is generated and stored permanently in the official repository. The platform supports digital execution using Aadhaar-based e-sign or digital signature. Verification and refund mechanisms are built into the system. Utilization is deemed complete upon issuance or registration, depending on the instrument type.

• Goa Suits Valuation Act, 2025

  On 9-9-2025, the Goa Government announced the Goa Suits Valuation Act, 2025, replacing the Goa Suits Valuation Act, 1965 legislation. Applicable across the state, the Act empowers the government, in consultation with the High Court, to frame rules for determining land value for jurisdictional purposes in civil suits. It ensures that jurisdictional valuation aligns with or exceeds court-fee valuation and allows the High Court to assign notional values to suits that cannot be satisfactorily valued. The Act also outlines procedures for raising objections to valuation-related jurisdiction issues and preserves the validity of suits filed before its commencement.

• Kerala Factories (Amendment) Rules, 2025

  On 25-9-2025, the Kerala Government notified the Kerala Factories (Amendment) Rules, 2025, amending Rules 108 to 111 of the Kerala Factories Rules, 1957. The amendment redefines supervisory and confidential roles, mandates factory-level recordkeeping, and introduces exemptions for adult workers engaged in urgent repairs and continuous process operations. It outlines specific industries eligible for extended work hours under Sections 64(2), 64(3), and 64(4), subject to conditions like rest intervals, weekly hour limits, and inspector notification. An explanation clarifies what qualifies as “urgent repairs.” Additionally, Rule 111 grants conditional exemptions to women working night shifts in fish processing units.

• Rajasthan Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Act, 2025

  On 26-9-2025, the Rajasthan Government notified the Rajasthan Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Act, 2025, introducing key changes to the principal Act of 2017. Sections 2(i) and 5 are deemed effective from 1 April 2025, while other provisions will come into force via official notification. The Act revises definitions (e.g., “local fund”, “municipal fund”, and “unique identification marking”), deletes sub-sections from Sections 12 and 13, and updates provisions in Sections 20, 34, 38, 39, 107, and 112. It introduces new Sections 122B and 148A to enforce a track-and-trace mechanism for certain goods. Amendments to Schedule III clarify tax treatment of supplies from SEZs and FTWZs. No refund will be issued for taxes collected prior to the enforcement of Section 13.

• Himachal Pradesh Electronic Processes (Issuance, Service and Execution) Rules, 2025

  On 6-9-2025, the Himachal Pradesh Government announced Himachal Pradesh Electronic Processes (Issuance, Service and Execution) Rules, 2025, to modernize and digitize the issuance and service of legal processes. These rules enable courts to generate summons, warrants, and other documents electronically through secure platforms like CJS, CIS, and CCTNS. Processes will be encrypted, bear the court’s seal, and be authenticated via e-Sign. Complainants will be required to provide digital contact details of accused and witnesses, which are stored and used for service. Electronic delivery via email or messaging apps is deemed valid upon acknowledgment. Special safeguards protect victim identity in sensitive cases, and physical service remains an option when digital methods fail.

State Amendments to Central Statutes:

• Registration (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2025

  On 28-7-2025, the Karnataka Government notified the Registration (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2025, introducing key modifications to the Registration Act, 1908, as applicable in the State of Karnataka. This amendment mandates the registration of powers of attorney authorizing the transfer of immovable property, whether with or without consideration. It also removes a specific exemption under Section 17(2), strengthens the verification process under Section 33 by requiring proof of life of the executing party, and inserts a provision for electronic submission and preservation of government-executed property documents under Section 89. These reforms aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in property registration procedures across Karnataka.

State Policies/Schemes:

• Delhi High Court Law Researchers Get a Pay and Policy Upgrade.

  On 8-9-2025, the Delhi Government issued an official order “Engagement of Law Researchers, in High Court of Delhi, and enhancement of their remuneration”, marking a significant administrative reform aimed at strengthening judicial support services in the capital. The notification outlines key decisions that will directly impact the functioning of the Delhi High Court and the working conditions of Law Researchers. Read more

• Andhra Pradesh Witness Protection Scheme, 2025

  On 18-9-2025, the Government of Andhra Pradesh announced the Andhra Pradesh Witness Protection Scheme, 2025, under Section 398 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The scheme aims to safeguard witnesses who face threats, intimidation, or retaliation during investigation, trial, or post-trial stages. Witnesses are classified into Categories A, B, and C based on the level of threat perception, ranging from serious danger to moderate or minimal risk. A State Witness Protection Fund is established to finance protection measures, sourced from budget allocations, court orders, and donations. Witnesses or their representatives can file applications before a Competent Authority, which includes the District Judge, Police Head, and Prosecutor. Protection measures include identity concealment, relocation, in-camera proceedings, and electronic testimony. The scheme ensures confidentiality, prohibits unauthorized disclosure of witness details, and mandates that witnesses be apprised of their rights. Expenses incurred can be recovered from the accused if ordered by the court. A review mechanism allows reassessment of protection orders based on evolving threats, ensuring dynamic and responsive security.

• Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2023 (First amendment)

  On 10-7-2025, the Delhi Government notified the Delhi Solar Energy Policy 2023 (First amendment), refining definitions and incentives to boost rooftop solar adoption across the city. The revised Hybrid Renewable Energy Service Company model now makes billing easier and allows consumers to benefit from solar energy without upfront costs, with net metering shown on a single bill. Capital subsidies were enhanced, households can get up to ₹30,000 and group housing societies receive ₹2,000 per kW, including support for Electric Vehicle charging setups. A limited-time incentive called Generation-Based Incentive will be offered for the first 200 MW of solar installed by businesses and industries. Consumers can apply for subsidies via the National (Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar portal) or the Delhi Solar portal and receive funds directly through Direct Benefit Transfer. Net metering Rules have been streamlined, and the earlier Apex Committee overseeing policy implementation has been removed.

• Rajasthan City Gas Distribution Policy, 2025

  On 16-7-2025, the Government of Rajasthan issued the Rajasthan City Gas Distribution (‘CGD’) Policy, 2025 to expand clean energy access by building a comprehensive CGD network across Rajasthan. It targets 80 lakh PNG connections, 1,000+ CNG stations, and 35,000 inch-km of pipeline by 2029. The policy promotes swift development, simplifies permissions through a digital portal, and mandates gas pipelines in building plans. The CNG adoption is incentivized via faster approvals, tax exemptions, and mandates for buses in large cities. Industrial and commercial sectors are encouraged to shift to gas-based systems to curb pollution. It also supports biogas plant development and integrates clean fuel norms into pollution control approvals. A state-level committee will ensure effective implementation, periodic review, and stakeholder engagement.

• Puducherry One-Time Regularization Scheme for the unpermitted constructions and deviations 2025

  On 16-7-2025, the Government of Puducherry notified the Puducherry ‘One-Time Regularization Scheme for the unpermitted constructions and deviations 2025’, to provide a legal framework for regularizing buildings constructed without approval or in deviation from sanctioned plans between 01-05-1987 and the date of Notification

  of the Scheme. Public can seek regularisation through compulsory online application provided necessary documentation is done, later authorised by Planning Authority. Regularisation will not be allowed where public safety is in question. Along with slum buildings and semi-permanent residential buildings, buildings that were built before 1-5-1987 will be exempted from regularisation. Buildings or individual flats that will fail to apply for regularisation will be devoid of many benefits and offerings from the Puducherry Government.

  Read all the State Legislations on SCC Online