In a significant move to enhance administrative efficiency, the Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has given the green light to restructure various ministerial departments. This decision will see the number of administrative departments rise from 33 to 45 by elevating sub-departments into independent entities.
The restructuring initiative, anchored on the principles of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Living,’ aims to expedite decision-making processes, ensure prompt implementation of welfare schemes, and enhance coordination with regional agencies. Previously, the Mantralaya operated with 33 administrative departments, some of which housed multiple sub-departments, causing challenges in human resource management.
To enhance operational efficiency, the Cabinet has decided to streamline these sub-departments, which will now operate as independent departments with their own establishments, cash branches, and registry branches. Importantly, this restructuring will not lead to the creation of new positions; instead, existing sanctioned and vacant officer and staff roles will be redistributed among the newly formed departments proportionally.
The official notification regarding the division and establishment of these new administrative departments will be issued by the Administrative Reforms, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Reforms sub-department. Additionally, the State Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, for the academic year 2026–27, allowing for final approvals to new colleges and the introduction of new faculties, courses, subjects, and divisions during expansions.
