Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026: An Introduction

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, following its approval by the Union Cabinet. The Jan Vishwas Bill represents a significant step in promoting Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living. It further aims at advancing a governance model rooted in trust and proportionate regulation. Here comes an introduction of how Jan Vishwas 2026 Amendment Bill seeks to bring certain changes in existing business regulation.

Jan Vishwas Bill 2026: Scope and Key Proposals

The Bill proposes wide-ranging amendments aimed at transforming the regulatory landscape:

Amendment of 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries
Decriminalization of 717 provisions to improve Ease of Doing Business
Amendment of 67 provisions to facilitate Ease of Living

In addition to this, the Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill seeks to rationalize more than 1000 offences by removing outdated and redundant provisions, thereby improving the overall regulatory environment.

Civil and Administrative Enforcement

A central feature of the Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill 2026 is the transition from criminal penalties to civil and administrative mechanisms for minor, technical, or procedural defaults. This means:

Replacement of imprisonment provisions with monetary penalties or warnings
Introduction of graded enforcement mechanisms, including warnings for first-time contraventions
Rationalization of fines based on the nature of the offence

Institutional Mechanisms for Enforcement

To ensure efficient and time-bound enforcement, the Bill provides for appointment of Adjudicating Officers and establishment of Appellate Authorities. These mechanisms aim to ensure speedy disposal of cases, and reduce litigation burden on courts.

Amendments for Ease of Living

The Jan Vishwas Amendment 2026 Bill proposes 67 amendments under key legislations, including:

These amendments are intended to simplify procedures and enhance citizen convenience, particularly in areas such as municipal taxation and vehicle-related compliance.

Consultative Background

The reforms outlined in the Jan Vishwas 2026 Amendment Bill are the result of an extensive consultative process involving multiple stakeholders:

Inter-Ministerial Committee meetings
High-Level Committee discussions under NITI Aayog
Interactions with industry associations and civil society organizations
The Select Committee on the Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill, 2025 conducted 49 sittings with committee members, ministries, external stakeholders, and subject-matter experts.

Select Committee for Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill

The Select Committee, chaired by Tejasvi Surya, reportedly played a key role in shaping the reforms. It submitted its report to the Lok Sabha on 13th March 2026 after extensive consultations. In addition to reviewing existing provisions, the Committee examined further provisions within the same Acts and recommended decriminalization across 62 additional Central Acts.

Legislative Evolution of Jan Vishwas Act

The 2026 Bill builds upon earlier reform initiatives:

The Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 decriminalized 183 provisions across 42 Central Acts
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 proposed amendments to 355 provisions across 16 Central Acts and was introduced in Lok Sabha on 18th August 2025. The 2025 Bill was later withdrawn following Select Committee recommendations
Subsequently, the updated Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 was introduced incorporating broader reforms.

Conclusion

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 represents a major step toward modernizing India’s regulatory framework. Aligning with globally accepted principles of proportionate and risk-based regulation, the Jan Vishwas 2026 Amendment Bill seeks to rationalise 1000+ offences by removing outdated and redundant provisions. It envisages a shift from criminal penalties for minor, technical, or procedural defaults to civil and administrative enforcement mechanisms. The ultimate target is to promote Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.