New Delhi, April 4: The Government of India has introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, proposing wide-ranging reforms aimed at decriminalising minor offences and simplifying regulatory frameworks to promote ease of living and ease of doing business.
According to official details released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Bill seeks to amend 79 Central Acts administered by 23 ministries, covering a total of 784 provisions across multiple sectors.
The proposed legislation replaces criminal penalties for minor procedural lapses with civil penalties or administrative mechanisms, marking a significant shift towards a more balanced and trust-based legal system.
Officials said the Bill builds on earlier reforms under the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, and aims to further reduce excessive criminalisation in laws that previously penalised routine errors such as missed deadlines or minor documentation issues.
Focus on graded enforcement, fair penalties
The Bill introduces a graded enforcement framework, ensuring that minor or first-time violations are addressed through warnings or advisory notices before penalties are imposed. It also proposes proportionate penalties based on the severity of offences and faster resolution mechanisms through designated adjudicating authorities.
A dynamic penalty system has also been proposed to allow periodic revisions, ensuring that enforcement remains relevant and effective over time.
Key reforms to benefit citizens
Several provisions directly impacting daily life have been simplified. Under amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a 30-day grace period has been introduced for renewal of driving licences, protecting citizens from immediate penalties due to minor delays.
Similarly, provisions under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 have been rationalised, including replacing criminal penalties for minor municipal violations such as unauthorised use of public water with fixed civil fines.
The Bill also removes outdated provisions such as penalising individuals merely for being present in a public or private space at night under the Delhi Police Act, 1978, aligning legal standards with modern principles of personal liberty.
In the transport sector, offences like travelling without a ticket will now be treated as civil violations rather than criminal offences, enabling quicker and more citizen-friendly enforcement.
Relief for businesses, MSMEs
The legislation is expected to significantly reduce compliance burdens for businesses, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It replaces imprisonment provisions in several laws with monetary penalties and introduces mechanisms allowing businesses to rectify errors before facing punitive action.
For instance, under the Central Silk Board Act, 1948 and Tea Act, 1953, first-time violations will attract warnings, with penalties applied only for repeated non-compliance.
Reforms have also been introduced in export-related laws such as the APEDA Act, 1985, easing compliance requirements for exporters by shifting to a warning-and-penalty system.
Outdated provisions, including licensing requirements under the Coir Industry Act, 1953, have been removed to streamline regulatory processes.
Legislative process and expansion
The Bill follows an extensive consultative process. An earlier version introduced in 2025 was examined by a parliamentary select committee, which held 49 sittings and recommended expanding the scope of decriminalisation.
Based on these recommendations, the revised 2026 Bill significantly broadens the reform agenda, including 717 provisions proposed for decriminalisation and 67 provisions aimed at improving ease of living.
Towards a trust-based regulatory system
Officials said the Jan Vishwas Bill represents a shift from punitive regulation to a compliance-oriented approach, encouraging voluntary adherence while ensuring that serious violations continue to attract strict penalties.
The reforms are expected to make India’s legal framework more practical, transparent and citizen-friendly, while fostering a conducive environment for economic activity and growth.
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