Published: 2 April 2026PRS Legislative ResearchGovernance
Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill 2026 Decriminalizes 1000+ Offences Across 79 Central Acts
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed by both houses of Parliament, marking a landmark reform in India''s regulatory landscape. The bill decriminalizes over 1,000 offences across 79 Central Acts and converts 717 criminal provisions into civil penalties, replacing imprisonment with fines and compounding mechanisms.
The Select Committee of the Lok Sabha that reviewed the bill was chaired by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya. The legislation aims to reduce the compliance burden on businesses and citizens by eliminating the threat of criminal prosecution for minor regulatory violations. It covers acts administered by 23 ministries. The bill builds on the Jan Vishwas Act 2023 which had decriminalized 183 offences across 42 Acts, significantly expanding the scope of rationalization of criminal law provisions that hinder ease of doing business in India.
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Q: Discuss the objectives and key features of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill 2026 and its implications for ease of doing business in India. Answer (50 words): Parliament passed the Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill 2026, decriminalising over 1,000 offences across 79 Central Acts and converting 717 criminal provisions into civil penalties. Covering 23 ministries, it replaces imprisonment with fines and compounding, reducing compliance burden. Building on the 2023 Act, it significantly expands India's regulatory rationalisation reform.
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How many Central Acts are covered under the Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill 2026?
Explanation · Correct answer CThe Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill 2026 covers 79 Central Acts, decriminalizing over 1,000 offences across them.