Himachal Pradesh Politics & Governance

HRTC expands Volvo services and charging infrastructure in Dharamshala Division

1 January 2026

Himachal Road Transport Corporation’s Dharamshala Division added six Volvo buses and launched direct services from Chamunda to Vrindavan and Nadaun to Delhi. It also introduced Volvo services from McLeodganj to Delhi and a direct bus service to Delhi airport.

Four charging stations in Palampur, Jasur, Nagrota Bagwan and Dharamshala were reported ready at a stated cost of ₹2.35 crore.

Key Facts

• HRTC classifies its electric buses as Him Tarang, supporting zero-emission public transport.

High Court upholds Nagrota Surian block reorganisation

1 January 2026

The Himachal Pradesh High Court dismissed a petition challenging the reorganisation of Nagrota Surian development block, upholding the shift of its headquarters to Jawali and the transfer of 10 panchayats to Dehra. The court treated the headquarters change as a policy decision and found that the reorganisation would bring the blocks closer to having similar numbers of gram panchayats.

Key Facts

• The court treated changing a development-block headquarters as a government policy decision.

Himachal directs prompt payment of pending women’s welfare instalment

2 January 2026

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed officials to expedite payment of the pending ₹1,500 instalment under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi scheme. Eligible beneficiaries in Pangi, Lahaul-Spiti, Dodra Kwar and Kupvi were to receive priority.

Government-land encroachers ineligible for Panchayat elections

2 January 2026

Shimla district’s Assistant District Election Officer (Panchayat) directed sub-divisional and election officials to apply the disqualification for government-land encroachment in upcoming Panchayati Raj elections. The directive cites Section 122(1)(c) of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and states that applying to regularise an encroachment does not remove the disqualification.

Key Facts

• Section 122(1)(c) of Himachal Pradesh’s Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 disqualifies government-land encroachers from contesting Panchayat elections.

Himachal sets hearings and deadline for pending land-revenue cases

2 January 2026

Himachal Pradesh directed tehsildars and naib tehsildars to hold hearings on land-partition cases every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 January. Pending land-record correction cases were given a disposal deadline of 31 March 2026, with district-level reviews and progress reports required to monitor cases.

Key Facts

• To reduce the backlog, the government directed reappointment of retired revenue staff and training for officials and employees.

Himachal revises pensions for State Public Service Commission leadership

2 January 2026

Himachal Pradesh amended the regulations governing pensions for State Public Service Commission chairpersons and members, setting monthly pensions of ₹48,000 and ₹45,000, respectively. The amendment also provides for an annual 6% increase on the basic pension.

Key Facts

• HPPSC recruits candidates for Himachal Pradesh government jobs through competitive examinations.

Bhuntar Airport ranks joint second in AAI customer-satisfaction survey

2 January 2026

Bhuntar Airport in Kullu secured joint second place nationally in the Airports Authority of India’s Customer Satisfaction Survey 2025. The survey assessed passenger feedback on cleanliness, security, facilities, staff conduct, terminal management and the overall travel experience.

Key Facts

• The Airports Authority of India creates, upgrades, maintains and manages India’s civil aviation infrastructure.

Sirmaur makes potato seed available to farmers unable to sow wheat

2 January 2026

The Agriculture Department in Sirmaur made about 1,100 quintals of potato seed available as an alternative for farmers unable to sow wheat in dry areas. The contingency measure is intended to help affected farmers reduce potential losses by planting potatoes.

Key Facts

• The Agriculture Department’s contingency response recommends potato cultivation as an alternative crop for farmers who missed wheat sowing.

HPBOSE announces HP TET 2025 results

2 January 2026

The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) announced the results of the Himachal Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (HP TET) 2025. Of the 33,083 candidates who appeared, 8,459 passed, an overall pass rate of 25.6%; 36,571 candidates had applied.

Key Facts

• HPTET assesses eligibility for teaching posts in Himachal Pradesh government and private schools.

Him MSME Fest showcases Himachali products and investment proposals

3 January 2026

Shimla hosted the Him MSME Fest from 3 to 5 January, showcasing products from all 12 districts. The display of 4,003 handwoven Himachali shawls received Guinness World Records recognition as the world’s largest handmade shawl display. The festival also featured 37 industrial MoUs worth ₹10,000 crore and letters ...