Jan Vishwas Bill 2026: Decriminalising 80 Central Acts
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Economy
Why in news
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 was passed by both Houses of Parliament in April 2026. It aims to decriminalise or rationalise offences across 80 central Acts, continuing the government's ease of doing business reforms.
Background
The Bill replaces the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, which sought to amend 17 Acts and was referred to a Select Committee. The Committee recommended expanding the scope to 82 Acts, leading to the withdrawal of the 2025 Bill and introduction of the 2026 version.
Key facts
The Bill amends 80 central Acts to decriminalise or rationalise offences and penalties.
It replaces imprisonment with civil penalties for several offences, e.g., under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, manufacturing substandard cosmetics now attracts civil penalty of ₹1 lakh or three times value of confiscated cosmetics.
Under National Highways Act, 1956, making a highway impassable now attracts civil penalty of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore instead of imprisonment.
Some offences are completely removed, such as false alarm of fire under Delhi Police Act, 1978.
Fines and penalties will increase by 10% of the minimum amount every three years.
Warnings or advisories are introduced for first and second offences under certain Acts, e.g., Apprentices Act, 1961.
Improvement notices are introduced under Legal Metrology Act, 2009 for first offences.
The Bill provides for appointment of adjudicating officers and appellate authorities for penalty adjudication.
The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 27, 2026, passed on April 1, 2026, and passed in Rajya Sabha on April 2, 2026.
Prelims pointers
- Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- Decriminalisation of offences
- Civil penalty vs criminal penalty
- Improvement notice
- Adjudicating officer
- Appellate authority
- Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
- National Highways Act, 1956
- Legal Metrology Act, 2009
Mains angles
- GS2: Government policies and interventions for ease of doing business
- GS2: Parliament and State legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business
- GS3: Economic reforms - decriminalisation of minor offences to improve business environment
- GS2: Law and Justice - criminal justice reforms, alternative dispute resolution