Ranchi: The Jharkhand Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, approved a series of decisions on August 25, 2026, covering education, healthcare, policing, disaster management, infrastructure and government administration.
Among the key approvals were the development of 100 additional schools as Mukhyamantri Utkrisht Vidyalayas (Chief Minister Excellence Schools), free sanitary napkins for girl students in government schools, and the installation of 9,006 CCTV cameras across 606 police stations.
100 More Schools to Become CM Excellence Schools
The Cabinet approved the development of 100 additional schools as Mukhyamantri Utkrisht Vidyalayas under the Adarsh Vidyalaya Yojana.
The state has already been operating 80 schools under the scheme. The expansion has received an administrative approval of ₹721.43 crore.
Key Education Decisions
- 100 additional schools to be developed as CM Excellence Schools.
- ₹721.43 crore approved for the school-development programme.
- Girl students in Classes 6 to 12 in government schools to receive free sanitary napkins.
- Up to 10 oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins per month will be provided to eligible students.
- ₹124.37 crore approved for the sanitary-napkin programme.
- ₹73.66 crore approved for providing calendars to students in elementary classes under the Gyanodaya Yojana.
- ₹27.87 crore approved for student diaries for students of Classes 6 to 8 in government and government-aided schools.
Free Sanitary Napkins for Girl Students
The Cabinet approved a scheme to provide free sanitary napkins to girl students studying in Classes 6 to 12 in government schools.
Each eligible student will receive a maximum of 10 oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins every month. The government has sanctioned ₹124.37 crore for the programme.
9,006 CCTV Cameras for 606 Police Stations
The Cabinet also approved a revised administrative sanction of ₹90 crore for installing CCTV cameras in police stations across Jharkhand.
Under the plan, 9,006 cameras will be installed across 606 police stations in the state.
Medical Colleges to Get Infrastructure Boost
The Cabinet approved major investments for upgrading two government medical colleges.
The MGM Medical College, Jamshedpur has received an administrative sanction of ₹393.91 crore for development and strengthening works between 2026-27 and 2029-30.
For Shaheed Nirmal Mahato Medical College, Dhanbad, the Cabinet approved ₹495.02 crore.
The planned improvements include increasing MBBS seats and introducing additional postgraduate disciplines and seats.
Dhanbad Medical College Expansion
A separate proposal for the upgradation and redevelopment of SNMMCH College and Technical Hospital, Dhanbad, was also approved.
The project, to be funded through the District Mineral Foundation Trust, has received administrative approval of ₹275.18 crore.
The plan includes a proposal to increase:
- MBBS/UG seats from 100 to 250
- Postgraduate seats to 200
New Rules for Contractual Appointment of Doctors
The Cabinet approved the formation of the Jharkhand State Government Hospitals/Health Centres Rules for Contract-Based Appointment of Doctors and Specialist Doctors, 2026.
The rules will provide a framework for contractual appointments against vacant posts of doctors and specialists in government hospitals and health centres.
The Cabinet also approved reducing the retirement age of non-teaching doctors and specialist doctors under the Jharkhand Health Service from 67 to 65 years.
Residential Schools for Girls in Five New Blocks
The government approved the establishment of Jharkhand Balika Awasiya Vidyalayas in five newly created blocks.
An administrative sanction of ₹49.99 crore has been approved for construction of the school buildings.
Lightning and Heatwave Removed From State-Specific Disaster List
Following their inclusion in the Government of India’s list of natural disasters, lightning and heatwave will no longer be included in Jharkhand’s list of specific local disasters.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to provisions concerning geographical areas in various departmental resolutions dealing with natural and specific local disasters.
The Cabinet further approved the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), referred to as the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Scheme, for implementation in Jharkhand.
Topchanchi Lake to Get ₹184.29-Crore Development Project
The Cabinet approved a ₹184.29-crore project for the beautification and development of Topchanchi Lake and surrounding areas in Dhanbad.
The project will be implemented through a PPP model using the DBFOT (Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer) framework.
New Policy for Maintenance of Rural Bridges
The Cabinet approved the Jharkhand Rural Bridge Maintenance Policy-2025 for the maintenance and upkeep of bridges constructed under the Rural Works Department.
It also approved the regularisation of the services of 12 petitioners who had earlier served as contractual junior engineers in agricultural engineering, in accordance with a Supreme Court order.
The decisions approved at the meeting cover a range of sectors, including school education, healthcare, policing, disaster management, rural infrastructure and urban development.
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