Summary
Highlights
Gujarat launched a statewide campaign against Foot and Mouth Disease in livestock. India's first LNG-diesel dual-fuel DEMU train was launched in Ahmedabad, reducing diesel consumption and carbon emissions. CM Bhupendra Patel launched the 'Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana' from Bhadran village, Anand district, to bring urban facilities to 114 rural towns and reduce migration to big cities.
Gujarat continues to lead in renewable energy with 16.50% contribution to India's total renewable energy capacity. The 'Chhari Dhand' wetland in Kutch was declared Gujarat's fifth Ramsar site, increasing India's total Ramsar sites to 98. Gujarat introduced 14 advanced 1.5 Tesla MRI machines in government hospitals for free public use. The first IVF Gir calf was born in Varudi, Amreli district.
Aditya Pandya became India's youngest male analog astronaut at 17, undergoing space-like training at Dhodavira, Kutch. The Gujarat government signed an MoU with SpaceX's Starlink for satellite-based internet in remote areas. C-DOT and Rashtriya Raksha University collaborated to create an Innovation-cum-Experience Center for telecom and cybersecurity. A pilot project for digital food currency based on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) was launched in Gujarat.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a 21-foot equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Gandhinagar. The Science and Technology Department collaborated with L&T Vyoma to establish a green AI-ready data center. Purnesh Modi became the new Deputy Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. The book 'Vani To Amrutvada' about Kavi Kag was re-released. The 'Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan' 2.0 was launched from Bhat, Gandhinagar. India's first AI Research Organization is being established at GIFT City.
13 permanent advisory committees were formed by the Gujarat government for policy implementation. CM Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the 14th International Flower Show in Ahmedabad, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest floral portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Dr. K.L.N. Rao was appointed as the interim DGP of Gujarat. Surat is preparing to become India’s first completely slum-free city. An 11-member core committee was formed to protect energy infrastructure from cyberattacks.
The 'Somnath Swabhiman Parva' celebrates 1000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026. The temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, has a rich history and cultural significance. A mobile 'Asha Van' for early cancer detection was inaugurated in Gandhinagar, the first of its kind in India. Amit Shah released the Gujarati edition of Adi Shankara's collected works, published by Sastu Sahitya Mudranalaya Trust. Gujarat received the Best Performer award for the fifth time in the National Startup Ranking. India's first private satellite plant is being established in Sanand.
Five Gujaratis received Padma Shri awards on the 77th Republic Day: Mir Haji Kasam, Dharmiklal Pandya, Nilesh Mandlewala, Ratilal Borisagar, and Arvind Vaidya. Gujarat's tableau won the Popular Choice Award for the fourth consecutive year at the Republic Day parade with the theme 'Swatantrata ka Mantra Vande Mataram'. The 'Mule Hunt' operation was launched to dismantle cybercrime networks. The retirement age for Home Guard jawans was increased from 55 to 58 years. Gujarat was declared a 'Tiger State' after 33 years due to a tiger population in Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary.
India's first magnificent 'Vrindavan Gauchar Park' will be built in Vadnagar. Manoj Kumar Das was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Gujarat. The new state cabinet under CM Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi (the youngest ever) is introduced. 'Rashtriya Ekta Divas' on October 31, 2025, will celebrate Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary with a grand parade at the Statue of Unity. Gujarat's budget for 2026-27 was presented by Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai, totaling 4,08,053 crore rupees, the largest in Gujarat's history. The budget focuses on five pillars: social security, human resource development, infrastructure, economic activities, and green growth. The budget document features Warli paintings of 'Kansari Devi', the goddess of prosperity for tribal communities.
The Devni Mori ancient Buddhist archaeological site in Gujarat's Aravalli district, whose relics were sent to Sri Lanka for worship, is discussed. Gujarat is highlighted as the number one state in India for total renewable energy capacity (16.50%) and for combined wind and rooftop solar energy. However, for installed solar energy alone, Gujarat ranks second after Rajasthan.
The Bhavnath Fair, designated as a mini-Kumbh since 2019, and its significance during Mahashivratri are mentioned. The 77th Republic Day celebration at the state level in Malupur, VavTharad district (Gujarat's 34th district), Uttrayan Mahotsav at Modhera Sun Temple, and the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as a special guest are covered.
The 'Mini Japan' triangular economic zone in Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Morbi, and the announcement of 13 new GIDC industrial estates in Saurashtra and Kutch are discussed. Gujarat’s achievement of being the number one state in the National Startup Ranking for the fifth consecutive time, with National Startup Day celebrated on January 16th, is highlighted. The day is also observed as National Lokpal Day.
Gujarat has been granted 'Tiger State' status by the National Tiger Conservation Authority due to a tiger residing in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary in Dahod district. Gujarat is now the only state with three big cat species: tiger, lion, and leopard. Plans for five satellite towns (Sanand, Savli, Kalol, Bardoli, Hirasar) to reduce the burden on major cities are announced. India’s first Artificial Intelligence Research Organization is to be established in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, with Uday Kotak as its new chairman.
Ahmedabad’s Civil Kidney Hospital set a national record with 500 kidney transplants in one year. India and the Netherlands signed an agreement for the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. Ambaji’s white marble received a GI tag. ISRO’s new earth station will be built in Jamkhambhaliya, Devbhoomi Dwarka. Surat is set to become India’s first slum-free city (Chandigarh is currently the first).
Ahmedabad received its first 'Make in India' metro train. An initiative to provide primary healthcare to construction workers through 'Dhanvantari Arogya Rath Yojana' is detailed. The 'PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana' aims to provide financial security to workers aged 30-40 registered for 5 years. Gujarat aims to install 10 lakh rooftop solar systems by 2027 under the 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana'.
Jivraj Muvvala Government Primary School in Gandhinagar won the National Green School Award. Sambhesinh Parmar and Vijaybhai Patel were appointed Chairman and Vice Chairman of Amul Dairy. Surat hosted the 116th National Executive Meeting of the All India Mayor's Council. 'Namo Lakshmi Yojana' provides financial assistance of up to 50,000 rupees to girls studying in classes 9-12. Pankaj Joshi was appointed Chairman of the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission, and Jethabhai Bharwad resigned as Deputy Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, with Purnesh Modi taking his place.
A statewide program for free Type-1 Diabetes treatment began in Gandhinagar. The Winter Festival was celebrated in Saputara. Several initiatives were launched on Good Governance Day (December 25), including the NRI website and Atal Swant Sukhay web portal for Gujaratis abroad, and the GSAR portal for government documents.
The Kankaria Carnival in Ahmedabad, initiated by PM Modi in 2008, had a 'Local to Global' theme. The historical context and details of Kankaria Lake and Kamala Nehru Zoological Park are also provided. The passing of Padma Shri folk artist Zoravarsinh Jadav, founder of the Gujarat Folk Art Foundation, who wrote over 90 books on folk culture, is noted. His popular stories include 'Marad Kasumbal Rang Chade' and 'Mardai Matha'.
Ahmedabad has officially been chosen to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking a century since the first games in Hamilton, Canada. This will be the second time India hosts the games after New Delhi in 2010. Eight sports have been confirmed, with the host city able to add two more. The history and evolution of the Commonwealth Games are also reviewed. PT Usha is the current President of the Indian Olympic Association.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation launched India's first startup policy, offering up to 35 lakh rupees in financial aid per startup. Rajkot is set to get Gujarat's second Mahatma Mandir Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre after Gandhinagar. Surat Cut Diamonds received a GI tag, recognizing Surat's prominence in diamond polishing. Details about GI tag regulations, including the 1999 Act, 2003 implementation, Chennai registry, and India's goal of 10,000 GI tags by 2030, are provided.
Gujarat government made 20 important services online through the 'Sugam Digital Gujarat Portal' based on recommendations from the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission. Gujarat became the second state after Uttarakhand to pass the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Act, 2026, which standardizes laws for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships across all religions. The committee for drafting the UCC was chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. Goa was the only state with a UCC prior to independence.
Kutch University received a 20-year patent for a rapid test method to assess wheat quality. Gujarat government reduced stamp duty on ancestral agricultural land transfers to a token 300 rupees. PM Modi inaugurated the Micron Technology Semiconductor ATMP plant in Sanand. Maruti Suzuki’s Hansalpur plant became the world's first in-plant railway siding project to gain carbon credits. India's first barrier-free toll plaza was opened on a trial basis at 84 (Kamrej) toll plaza on NH-48.
Sri Lanka launched its first blue bond on the NSE International Exchange at Gujarat's GIFT City. Dheeraj Kakadiya authored 'Mahatma: A Great Communicator' in Gujarati, Hindi, and English. Gujarat University renamed its convention center to Vidhyagauri Nilkanth Sabhagruham, honoring Gujarat's first female graduate. An AI-ready data center will be established by the Science and Technology Department with L&T Vyoma. The book 'Vani To Amrutvada' based on the life of Kavi Kag, a renowned folk artist, was re-launched.
Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil launched a statewide 'Jal Mahotsav 2026' campaign from Navsari, which will begin on International Women's Day (March 8th) and conclude on World Water Day (March 22nd). The theme is 'Gao Ka Utsav Desh ka Mahotsav.' The 'Lake and Air Watch' initiative by the Gujarat Urban Development Mission will monitor air quality and lake cleanliness across 152 municipalities and 17 municipal corporations. The 181 Abhyam helpline for women's safety completed 12 years of service.
Sangeetaben Deshmukh from Dang district was honored by President Droupadi Murmu for her water management work during the 'Jal Mahotsav'. Four major cities (Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot) will get 'Namo Swadeshi Urban Malls' to promote traditional artisans. Gujarat successfully launched its first sounding rocket from Bavdi Aari, Dholera, developed by Om Space Rocket & Exploration.
Yogesh Vaidya received the Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati literature for his work 'Bhat Khadki'. The 'PM Rahat Yojana' for road accident victims, offering up to 1.5 lakh rupees in cashless treatment for seven days, was first implemented in Mahesana district. The 'Nirmal Gujarat 2.0' scheme, launched in 2024, includes new components like 'Swachh Shahar Pink Toilets' for women. The 5-member committee for the Uniform Civil Code was chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.