Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 Passed

Why in News?

The Lok Sabha has passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, which aims to further strengthen trust-based governance and improve the ease of doing business in India.

Key Provisions

The Bill focuses on decriminalising minor offences across various laws by replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties or administrative actions. It seeks to reduce unnecessary legal complications for businesses and individuals while ensuring that serious offences continue to attract stricter penalties. The legislation promotes a shift from punitive enforcement to a more facilitative and compliance-based approach.

Objectives of the Bill

The main objective is to create a trust-based regulatory environment by reducing compliance burden and simplifying legal processes. It aims to promote Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), enhance the Ease of Living, and encourage voluntary compliance by minimizing fear of criminal prosecution for minor violations.

Background

This Bill is part of the broader Jan Vishwas 2.0 reforms. Earlier, the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 decriminalised 183 provisions across 42 Central Acts. The current amendment expands the scope of such reforms by targeting additional provisions and laws to streamline governance and improve regulatory efficiency.

Significance

The Bill is significant as it will reduce the burden on the judiciary by lowering the number of minor criminal cases. It will benefit MSMEs and startups by easing regulatory pressure and promoting a business-friendly environment. Overall, it aligns with the government’s vision of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”.

Additional Key Facts

The reform is linked to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It also complements ongoing efforts toward digital compliance systems and simplified adjudication mechanisms, making governance more transparent and efficient.