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The Lok Sabha passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, by voice vote.
The Bill aims to decriminalize minor offences across 79 Central Acts to promote ease of doing business and living.
It proposes to amend 784 provisions, specifically decriminalizing 717 of them and amending 67 others.
The legislation seeks to rationalize over 1,000 offences, benefiting individuals and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Decriminalization refers to the process of removing criminal penalties for certain acts, often replacing them with civil penalties such as monetary fines. It does not necessarily legalize the act but changes the nature of the punishment, shifting it from the criminal justice system to civil or administrative enforcement. Ease of Doing Business is a measure of the conduciveness of a country's regulatory environment for starting and operating a local firm. It assesses factors like starting a business, dealing with permits, paying taxes, and enforcing contracts. Reforms like the Jan Vishwas Bill directly contribute to improving this environment by simplifying compliance and reducing punitive actions.
Simple Analogy: Imagine a traffic violation. Instead of being arrested (criminal penalty), you just pay a fine (civil penalty). Decriminalization is like converting many minor 'arrestable' offences into 'fine-only' offences, making the system less burdensome for minor infractions.
The Bill is part of a broader government agenda to improve governance, reduce red tape, and promote a 'minimum government, maximum governance' approach.
By easing compliance and reducing the fear of criminal prosecution for minor errors, the Bill directly supports the growth and operational freedom of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, which are vital for employment and economic output.
Decriminalization is expected to significantly reduce the caseload on the criminal justice system, allowing courts to focus on more serious offences and improving the overall efficiency of justice delivery.
This Bill is a comprehensive legislative effort that amends specific provisions across a multitude of existing Central Acts (79 in total). It demonstrates a targeted approach to modify the punitive nature of various statutory provisions, rather than introducing a new overarching law, thereby streamlining and modernizing the legal landscape for minor infractions.
GS Paper-II: Governance, Constitution, Polity; GS Paper-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
General Awareness: Indian Polity & Constitution, Economy.
General Awareness: Current Affairs, Indian Economy, Government Schemes.
General Awareness: Indian Polity, Economy.
In India, which one of the following Constitutional Amendments was widely believed to be enacted to overcome the judicial interpretations of the Fundamental Rights?
Answer: 1st Amendment
Consider the following statements: 1. A bill amending the Constitution requires a prior recommendation of the President of India. 2. When a Constitution Amendment Bill is presented to the President of India, it is obligatory for the President of India to give his/her assent. 3. A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by a special majority and there is no provision for joint sitting. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: 2 and 3 only
Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in
Answer: amending the Constitution
High for governance and economic policy reforms.
Removing criminal penalties for an act, often replacing them with civil fines.
A measure of the regulatory environment's conduciveness for starting and operating a business.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, a critical sector for India's economy and employment.