The Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, advancing the government’s push to decriminalise minor offences and promote a trust-based governance model aimed at improving ease of living and doing business. The legislation removes criminal penalties from 717 provisions across 80 central laws, replacing them with civil measures such as fines, warnings, and advisory notices.
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada moved the bill for consideration and passage, with the government highlighting the need to reduce compliance burdens while ensuring proportionate enforcement. The bill was passed following detailed deliberations in the House, concluding a legislative process shaped by consultations and revisions.
The move follows the withdrawal of the earlier version of the legislation in March. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had withdrawn the Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025, after review by a select committee, to incorporate stakeholder feedback into a more comprehensive framework. The revised 2026 version significantly expands its scope, covering more laws and provisions.
According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the reforms align with the government’s “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” vision. Goyal had noted that reducing compliance burdens would streamline business processes, improve ease of living, and boost investor confidence by making India a more attractive investment destination.
The legislation introduces sweeping changes across sectors by replacing imprisonment clauses with monetary penalties in several laws. For example, offences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which previously carried jail terms of up to one year, will now attract civil penalties. Similarly, violations under the National Highways Act, 1956, such as making highways unsafe, will shift from criminal punishment to financial penalties. In some laws, including the Indian Succession Act, 1925, and the Electricity Act, 2003, imprisonment provisions have been removed entirely.
Certain offences have been omitted altogether, including provisions related to false fire alarms under the Delhi Police Act, 1978, and failure to report births and deaths under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. The bill also introduces a graded enforcement system, offering warnings or advisories for initial violations before penalties are imposed for repeat offences.
A key feature is the rationalisation of penalties through adjudicating officers empowered to determine fines based on the severity of offences. Appellate authorities will handle appeals, creating a structured and less punitive enforcement system. The bill also mandates an automatic increase in fines by 10 per cent every three years to maintain deterrence.
Additionally, the legislation introduces “improvement notices” in laws such as the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, allowing businesses time to correct non-compliance before facing penalties. It also brings changes to property taxation in the New Delhi municipal area by defining components like building tax and vacant land tax, while removing provisions related to advertisement tax.
The bill traces its origins to the Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025, introduced in August last year and later examined by a select committee chaired by Tejasvi Surya. In its March 2026 report, the panel recommended both modifications and an expansion of the reform to cover additional laws. Acting on these suggestions, the government withdrew the earlier draft and introduced the revised version on March 27, 2026.
Officials said the updated legislation reflects wide-ranging stakeholder input and seeks to balance enforcement with ease of compliance. By reducing the criminalisation of minor violations and shifting to civil penalties, the government aims to streamline regulations, cut litigation, and create a more facilitative environment for businesses and citizens.
The Jan Vishwas initiative forms part of a broader regulatory reform agenda focused on fostering trust between the government, industry, and the public, while maintaining accountability through transparent and proportionate enforcement.