The Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, today introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, following its approval by the Union Cabinet.

The Bill marks a significant milestone in the Government’s efforts to promote Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living, while advancing a governance framework based on trust and proportionate regulation.

The Bill proposes:

• Amendment of 784 provisions of 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries
• Decriminalization of 717 provisions to promote Ease of Doing Business
• Amendment of 67 provisions to facilitate Ease of Living

The Bill seeks to rationalise more than 1000 offences, removing outdated and redundant provisions thereby improving the overall regulatory environment.

The Bill 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
• Rationalization of fines and penalties in proportion to the nature of the offence

To ensure efficient and time-bound enforcement, the Bill provides for:

• Appointment of Adjudicating Officers
• Establishment of Appellate Authorities

These measures aim to facilitate speedy disposal of cases and reduce litigation burden on courts, while ensuring adherence to principles of natural justice.

The Bill also proposes 67 amendments under the:

• New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994
• Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

These amendments are aimed at simplifying procedures and enhancing citizen convenience in areas such as municipal taxation and vehicle-related compliance.

Consultative Approach

The proposed reforms are based on a comprehensive consultative process involving Inter‑Ministerial Committee meetings, High‑Level Committee meetings under NITI Aayog, interactions with industry associations, and civil society organisations.

Additionally, the Select Committee on the Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill, 2025 undertook a comprehensive consultation process consisting of 49 sittings with committee members, participating Ministries, external stakeholders, and subject‑matter experts.

 Trust-Based Governance

The Bill 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. By reducing the burden of criminal liability and simplifying regulatory processes, the Bill is expected to enhance compliance, promote investment, and strengthen economic growth.

The present Bill builds upon the reform initiative to decriminalize minor offences. The initiative started with the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 which decriminalized 183 provisions in 42 Central Acts administered by 19 Ministries/ Departments. Continuing with this, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 18^th August 2025. The 2025 Bill proposed amendments to 355 provisions across 16 Central Acts administered by 10 Ministries/Departments and was referred to a Select Committee.

The Select Committee, chaired by Shri Tejasvi Surya, held 49 sittings and submitted its report to the Lok Sabha on 13^th March 2026. The Committee undertook extensive consultations and, in addition to the provisions under consideration, examined further provisions within the same Acts and recommended decriminalization across 62 additional Central Acts.

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 was thereafter withdrawn and Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 was introduced in Lok Sabha today.

Conclusion

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 represents a major step towards modernizing India’s regulatory framework and aligning it with globally accepted principles of proportionate and risk-based regulation. The Bill is expected to contribute significantly to improving the ease of doing business and ease of living in the country.

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Abhishek Dayal/Garima Singh

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