India: Maharashtra takes a leaf from the Welsh book

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What Maharashtra did

In 2024, the Maharashtra Future Generations Welfare Bill was introduced in the state legislative assembly by MLA Ameet Satam, and it has continued through the legislative process since. Inspired by Wales' Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015, the bill proposes a dedicated body — a Future Generations Commission, or Commissionerate — to oversee and guide departmental policies towards long-term sustainability.

Photo by Monaal Garg on Unsplash 

How it Delivered

The bill would require every government department to define and implement strategies for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, with an independent commission monitoring alignment and holding departments to their long-term commitments. The proposal grew out of a learning exchange programme in the UK, where legislators studied the Welsh model of governance first-hand. In March 2026 it had gained visible traction: the state government signalled support and moved to form a committee to study the concept in detail, and the bill drew backing across party lines, including from Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray.

What Made it Work?

Good ideas travel when lawmakers can see them working. The exchange with Wales gave Maharashtra's legislators a tested blueprint and the confidence that a future generations institution can function in practice. The cross-party support it has attracted matters too: an institution meant to outlast electoral cycles is far more durable when it is not the project of a single party. Adapting the model to a state of over 120 million people would make it one of the most significant applications of the approach anywhere.

Future Generations Takeaway

A law passed in Wales in 2015 is now shaping a bill in India. This is how governance innovation spreads: one jurisdiction proves the concept, and others make it their own. Keeping the future open is a relay, and the baton is passing.

This case study is based on one kindly shared with us by the us by School of International Futures (SOIF) and can be found in their digital implementation handbook: 'One Year in Practice: Stories of Global Action for Future Generations'.  We have updated and expanded some case studies with more recent developments and additional sources where relevant.