Union Minister Introduces Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2025

• 19 Aug 2025
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On 18 August 2025, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Gupta introduced the Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Bill 2025 at Lok Sabha. Earlier, this bill had received the greenlight from the Union Cabinet.

The Hon’ble Minister has made a request to the Hon’ble Speaker to refer the Bill to the Select Committee. The Hon’ble Speaker shall select the Committee’s members. A report must be made by the Committee on the next session’s first day. 

This initiative builds on the Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Act 2023’s success. This Act is the first comprehensive legislation aimed at systematically decriminalizing minor offences across various Acts. 

The 2023 Act was notified on 11 August 2023 and led to decriminalization of a total of 183 provisions in 42 Central Acts overseen by 19 Ministries and Departments. The 2025 Bill aims to expand this reform agenda by covering 16 Central Acts managed by 10 Ministries/Departments. 

It proposes amendments to a total of 355 provisions, with 288 provisions decriminalized to promote Ease of Doing Business and 67 provisions proposed to be amended to enhance Ease of Living. 

The Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Bill 2025 also includes 67 amendments under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act 1994 and the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, to further facilitate Ease of Living.

Key Features of Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Bill

Here are the key features of Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Bill 2025:

• It provides advisory/warning for 76 offences under 10 Acts.

• The bill replaces certain imprisonment clauses for minor/technical/procedural defaults with monetary penalties/warnings.

• The 2025 bill makes penalties proportionate. It proposes graduated penalties in case of repeated offences.

• The new bill empowers the designated officers to impose penalties via administrative processes and reduces judicial burden.

• It proposes automatic 10% increase in fines and penalties every three years to maintain deterrence without having to make any legislative amendments.

Four Acts, namely, the Tea Act 1953, Legal Metrology Act 2009, Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Motor Vehicles Act 1988, were a part of Jan Vishwas Act 2023. Under the current bill, these acts are proposed for the purpose of further decriminalization. 

In the regulatory reform journey of India, the Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Bill 2025 is regarded as a major milestone. It shows the commitment of the Government of India when it comes to achieving minimum Government, maximum governance. This initiative will catalyze sustainable economic growth and improve ease of doing business in the country. 

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)