Mumbai, June 9, 2026: The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved four key decisions aimed at improving administrative efficiency, strengthening higher education governance, aligning state tax laws with central regulations, and enhancing industrial infrastructure financing.
Administrative Restructuring to Increase Departments from 33 to 45
In a major administrative reform, the Cabinet approved the restructuring of Mantralaya departments to bring greater efficiency, coordination and speed to government functioning. As a result, the number of administrative departments will increase from the existing 33 to 45.
The reform is aligned with the state’s focus on Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living. Several existing departments currently oversee two or more sub-divisions under a single administrative setup, creating challenges in manpower management and operational efficiency. The restructuring is expected to accelerate decision-making, improve implementation of government schemes and strengthen coordination with field-level agencies.
Under the new structure:
- The Agriculture and Horticulture Department will be divided into separate Agriculture and Horticulture Departments.
- The Cooperation, Marketing and Textiles Department will be split into three independent departments: Cooperation, Marketing and Textiles.
- A separate Protocol Department will be created from the General Administration Department.
- A standalone Transport Department will be carved out of the Home Department.
- The Industries, Energy, Labour and Mining Department will be reorganized into Industries & Mining, Energy, and Labour Departments.
- The Revenue and Forest Department will be divided into Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation, and Forest Departments.
- The School Education and Sports Department will become separate School Education and Sports Departments.
- The Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department will be split into Tourism and Cultural Affairs Departments.
- A separate Food and Drug Administration Department will be created from the Medical Education and Drugs Department.
Additionally, the Employment Guarantee Scheme sub-division currently under the Planning Department will be merged with the Soil and Water Conservation Department.
The government clarified that no new posts will be created as part of the restructuring. Existing sanctioned and vacant positions will be redistributed among the newly created departments on a proportional basis.
Amendment to Maharashtra Public Universities Act Approved
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, for the academic year 2026-27.
The changes will facilitate approvals related to new colleges, educational institutions, new academic streams, courses, subjects and additional divisions. The deadline for granting permissions to establish new colleges or campuses has been extended until June 30, 2026. The extension will also apply to Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek.
Maharashtra GST Act to be Aligned with Central Law
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017, to ensure consistency with recent changes made to the Central GST Act, 2017.
The amendments follow recommendations made during the 56th meeting of the GST Council and are intended to improve uniformity and streamline GST implementation across the state and central tax systems. The Cabinet also approved the draft amendment bill.
MIDC Borrowing Limit to be Increased
The Cabinet approved amendments to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Act, 1961, to increase the borrowing powers of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
The move comes in view of the growing financial requirements for land acquisition and infrastructure development across the state. The government has already approved and guaranteed a ₹6,000 crore loan from HUDCO for land acquisition related to the proposed Purandar Airport project.
With large-scale land acquisition underway for industrial areas, special economic zones and infrastructure projects, the enhanced borrowing capacity will help MIDC ensure timely compensation to farmers and support future industrial and infrastructure development initiatives in Maharashtra.
