Maharashtra cabinet approves 12 new departments; Restructuring aims for faster decision-making

The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved a major restructuring of the state administration aimed at improving governance, speeding up decision-making, and reducing the workload on departments handling multiple subjects.

The Cabinet cleared several significant proposals, including the creation of new government departments, amendments to higher education and GST laws, and enhanced borrowing powers for the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).

State Departments to Increase from 33 to 45

The Cabinet approved a large-scale administrative restructuring that will increase the number of government departments from 33 to 45.

Under the plan:

• 13 existing departments will be reorganised.
• 12 new administrative departments will be created.
• Several sub-divisions functioning under larger departments will become independent departments.

The government said the move is intended to improve efficiency, streamline administration, and ensure faster policy implementation.

Importantly, no new government posts will be created. Existing functions and responsibilities will be redistributed among the newly formed departments.

Which New Departments Will Be Created?

The restructuring will split several large departments into smaller, specialised units:

1. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry

• Agriculture Department
• Animal Husbandry Department

2. Cooperation, Marketing and Textiles

• Cooperation Department
• Marketing Department
• Textiles Department

3. General Administration

• A separate Protocol Department will be created.

4. Home Department

• A new Transport Department will be carved out.

5. Industries, Energy, Labour and Mining

• Industries and Mining Department
• Energy Department
• Labour Department

6. Revenue and Forest

• Revenue Department
• Relief and Rehabilitation Department
• Forest Department

7. School Education

• School Education Department
• Sports Department

8. Tourism and Cultural Affairs

• Tourism Department
• Cultural Affairs Department

Officials said the changes will allow departments to focus on fewer subjects, leading to better coordination and quicker decisions.

Easier Approval Process for New Colleges

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, aimed at simplifying and accelerating approvals in the higher education sector.

The changes will facilitate:

• Final approval for new colleges.
• Expansion of existing institutions.
• Introduction of new faculties, courses, subjects and divisions.

The provisions will apply to the 2026-27 academic year, while the existing June 30, 2026 deadline for granting approvals will remain in force.

The amendment will also apply to Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University in Ramtek.

GST Act to Be Aligned with Central Law

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017.

The changes aim to:

• Align Maharashtra's GST framework with the Central GST Act, 2017.
• Incorporate recommendations approved by the GST Council.
• Facilitate implementation of provisions included in the Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Officials said the amendments will ensure consistency between state and central GST regulations.

MIDC Gets Higher Borrowing Powers

In another important decision, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Act, 1961, and cleared an ordinance to expand the borrowing capacity of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).

The move will enable MIDC to raise additional funds for:

• Land acquisition.
• Industrial area development.
• Infrastructure projects.
• Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

The government noted that a ₹6,000-crore HUDCO loan has already been approved for land acquisition linked to the proposed Purandar airport project.

Officials said substantial land acquisition is underway for industrial and infrastructure projects across the state, making additional financial resources necessary.

Focus on Faster Governance and Development

According to the state government, the restructuring is part of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's broader agenda of improving administrative efficiency, ease of doing business, and ease of living.

Officials said the changes are expected to:

• Reduce administrative bottlenecks.
• Improve coordination among departments.
• Speed up government decision-making.
• Enhance service delivery to citizens.
• Support industrial growth and investment.

The government believes the overhaul will create a more agile administrative system capable of responding more effectively to Maharashtra's growing development needs.