Himachal Cabinet Clears Major Welfare, Education and Health Reforms; Approves New Policies for 2026–27.
Shimla:
The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, today took a series of significant decisions aimed at strengthening welfare measures, upgrading healthcare infrastructure, expanding educational facilities and streamlining administrative reforms across the State.
Key Policy Approvals for 2026–27
The Cabinet approved the Toll Tax Barrier Policy 2026–27 and the Excise Policy 2026–27, paving the way for streamlined revenue management in the upcoming financial year.
It also cleared the Governor’s Address to be delivered during the forthcoming Budget Session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.
Enhanced Welfare Measures for Women and Vulnerable Sections
In a major relief to female volunteers, the Cabinet extended the benefit of 26 weeks of maternity leave to women serving in the Home Guards.
Amendments were approved to the ‘Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana’, enabling daughters of widows pursuing professional courses in government-run institutions—both within and outside the State—to receive financial assistance. In cases where hostel facilities are unavailable, eligible students will receive rent assistance of Rs. 3,000 per month.
The Cabinet also approved the launch of the ‘Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana’, aimed at improving the nutritional status of children below six years of age, expectant mothers and lactating women through enhanced supplementary nutrition.
In another key decision, the marriage grant for specially abled persons was substantially enhanced. Financial assistance has been increased from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2 lakh for persons with disabilities above 70 percent, while those with disabilities between 40 and 70 percent will receive Rs. 25,000.
Boost to Education Sector
To strengthen school education, the Cabinet approved the creation of 600 posts—150 each of Sanskrit, Physical Education, Music and Drawing Teachers—for proposed CBSE schools. These posts will be filled through the Rajya Chayan Aayog.
Additionally, 31 boys’ and girls’ schools across the State will be merged into co-educational institutions.
The Cabinet also approved the implementation of the Digital Classroom Project in 777 additional schools, marking a significant step toward technology-enabled learning.
Further, approval was granted for the establishment of the Distil Global Skills and Digital University in Chamba district.
Major Healthcare Infrastructure Push
In a landmark move, the Cabinet approved a Rs. 1,617.40 crore project to modernize medical colleges, super-specialty hospitals and Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans across the State. The initiative aims to strengthen in-State healthcare services and reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside Himachal Pradesh.
Modern medical equipment will be procured for:
Mother and Child Hospital at Kamla Nehru Hospital, Shimla
Civil Hospitals at Sundernagar and Nurpur
Regional Hospital Una
50-bedded Critical Care Block at Civil Hospital Bhoranj
District Integrated Public Health Laboratory at Regional Hospital, Bilaspur
The Cabinet approved the establishment of Departments of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion at Dr. YS Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan, along with the creation of requisite posts.
A Biomedical Equipment Management and Maintenance Programme will also be implemented across all public health institutions to ensure regular maintenance, improved patient safety and uninterrupted hospital operations.
Additionally, Drug Testing Laboratories will be set up at Nurpur, Baddi and Una with 36 new posts created.
Large-Scale Recruitment and Administrative Reforms
The Cabinet approved the creation and filling up of:
190 Junior Engineer (Civil) posts
151 Junior Office Assistant (IT) posts in the Directorate of Recruitment
40 Pharmacy Officers
150 Assistant Staff Nurses
30 Radiographers
10 Food Safety Officers
8 Safai Karamchari posts in the Himachal Pradesh High Court Registry
5 Welfare Organizers in the Department of Sainik Welfare
3 Junior Office Assistant (IT) posts in the Revenue Department
Infrastructure and Public Works Reforms
The Cabinet approved a Road Drainage Policy for the Public Works Department to enhance resilience, improve safety and ensure all-weather connectivity while reducing long-term maintenance costs.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for pothole filling and patch repair on bituminous and flexible pavements was also cleared to ensure transparency and adherence to national standards.
PWD divisions in Nahan, Shillai, Paonta Sahib, Sangrah, Rajgarh and Sarahan in Sirmaur district will be reorganized in accordance with Assembly constituencies.
The Veterinary Hospital at Kotkhai in Shimla district will be upgraded to a Sub-Divisional Veterinary Hospital with requisite staff.
Sports Infrastructure Expansion
The Cabinet approved increasing the bed capacity of the Sports Hostel at Luhnu in Bilaspur district from 80 to 100.
New sports facilities include:
Sports Hostel (Volleyball) for Boys at Government Senior Secondary School, Chopal (Shimla district)
Sports Hostel (Kabaddi) for Girls at Government Senior Secondary School, Shillai (Sirmaur district)
Introduction of Boxing for Girls at Thakur Ram Lal Girls Sports Hostel, Jubbal (Shimla district)
Establishment of Sports Hostel (Handball) at Morsinghi in Bilaspur district
Sub-Committee on State Lottery Rules
The Cabinet approved the constitution of a Cabinet Sub-Committee under Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, with Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani as a member, to frame the draft H.P. State Lottery (Regulation) Rules, 2026. The Director, Treasury and Accounts, will serve as the Member Secretary.
The decisions collectively signal a strong push by the State Government toward welfare expansion, healthcare modernization, educational reform, infrastructure strengthening and administrative efficiency, setting the tone for the upcoming financial year.
