April 6, New Delhi — The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, passed by Parliament earlier this month, amends 79 central laws administered by 23 ministries, covering 784 provisions across various sectors.
The legislation aims to decriminalize minor procedural lapses by replacing criminal penalties with civil penalties and administrative mechanisms. It seeks to address long-standing concerns where minor errors, such as missed filings or documentation issues, could attract criminal liability.
The Bill is based on key principles including warnings for first-time defaults, proportionate penalties, faster resolution mechanisms, and a dynamic penalty framework with periodic revisions.
It also focuses on improving ease of living and ease of doing business by reducing compliance burdens, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and small businesses, through graded enforcement measures.
Key changes include converting several fine-based offenses into civil penalties, removing certain penalties and imprisonment clauses, and introducing warnings or notices for first-time violations.
The government stated that this measure marks a shift towards a more balanced and trust-based regulatory framework, reducing excessive criminalization while maintaining accountability.