Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026

Why in News?

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, which seeks to decriminalise minor offences and promote “Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living”.

• Purpose – It seeks to rationalise more than 1000 offences, removing outdated and redundant provisions, thereby improving the overall regulatory environment.
• Launched in – March 2026.
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Objectives
  • To promote Ease of Doing Business.
  • Facilitate Ease of Living.
  • Reduce litigation burden on courts.
  • Ensure time‑bound enforcement with natural justice.
• Background –  Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which decriminalised 183 provisions in 42 Acts (19 Ministries).
• Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025 - Proposed 355 amendments in 16 Acts (10 Ministries); referred to the Select Committee.

Key Features

• Various Key Proposals – Includes amendment of 784 provisions of 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries;
• Decriminalisation of 717 provisions to promote Ease of Doing Business;
• Amendment of 67 provisions to facilitate Ease of Living;
• 67 amendments under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 & Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
• Shift to civil enforcement – It envisages a shift from criminal penalties for minor, technical, or procedural defaults to civil and administrative enforcement mechanisms.
• Key measures include:
  • Replacement of imprisonment provisions with monetary penalties or warnings
  • Graded enforcement mechanisms, including warnings for first-time contraventions
  • Rationalisation of fines and penalties in proportion to the nature of the offence
• Trust-Based Governance – It reflects the Government’s commitment to fostering a trust-based legal and compliance environment, where citizens and businesses are not subjected to criminal sanctions for minor non-compliance.
• Enhance Compliance – By reducing the burden of criminal liability and simplifying regulatory processes, the Bill is expected to enhance compliance, promote investment, and strengthen economic growth.
• Significance – The Bill is expected to contribute significantly to improving the ease of doing business and ease of living in the country, and aligning it with globally accepted principles of proportionate, risk-based regulation.

Reference

PIB | Jan Vishwas