Jan Vishwas Bill 2025

Jan Vishwas Bill 2025: A Step Towards Simplifying Laws and Promoting Ease of Living

Introduction

The Government of India introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha with the primary objective of decriminalising minor offences, rationalising penalties, and reducing regulatory burdens. This Bill marks a significant step in the government’s mission of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”, promoting trust-based governance and boosting both ease of doing business and ease of living.

It builds upon the foundation laid by the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which had already decriminalised 183 provisions under 42 Central Acts. The 2025 Bill goes a step further by addressing 355 provisions across 16 Central Acts, thereby modernising India’s regulatory framework in line with contemporary needs.

Background

In recent years, the Government of India has been working consistently to simplify archaic laws and encourage a governance model that emphasizes efficiency and trust. The Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, was the first consolidated legislation aimed at decriminalising minor offences to reduce fear and encourage compliance.

The Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025 extends this effort by:

• Expanding the scope to more laws and provisions.
• Making penalties proportionate to the severity of offences.
• Reducing judicial burden by empowering administrative mechanisms.
• Encouraging first-time offenders to correct mistakes through warnings and improvement notices.

This move is closely aligned with India’s socio-economic vision during its Amritkaal, where reforms are considered essential to accelerate growth and improve citizen experience.

Key Provisions and Amendments

1. Decriminalisation of Minor Offences

• The Bill decriminalises 288 minor offences across several Acts.
• Provisions carrying imprisonment for trivial violations are being replaced with warnings, advisory notices, or monetary penalties.

2. First-Time Offenders

• For 76 offences under 10 different Acts, first-time contraventions will not attract a penalty.
• Instead, individuals or businesses will receive a warning or improvement notice.

3. Proportionate Penalties

• Penalties will escalate only in case of repeated violations.
• To keep laws dynamic, monetary fines will increase automatically by 10% every three years.

4. Coverage of Laws

Amendments have been proposed in a wide range of legislations, including:

• Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
• New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994
• Indian Post Office Act
• Legal Metrology Act

5. Administrative Adjudication

• The Bill empowers administrative officers to impose fines or penalties.
• This step reduces judicial delays and promotes faster resolution.

Impact on Governance and Business

Boost to Business Confidence

• Fear of imprisonment for minor infractions often discouraged entrepreneurship.
• By removing such harsh provisions, the Bill encourages risk-taking and innovation.

Reduced Judicial Burden

• Courts remain overloaded with petty cases.
• Decriminalisation and compounding mechanisms will free up judicial resources for serious cases.

Modernisation of Regulatory Framework

• Outdated laws that no longer suit India’s dynamic economy are being phased out.
• Encourages digitisation, technology-based compliance, and process efficiency.

Promotes Trust-Based Governance

• Shifts focus from punishment to compliance.
• Reflects the government’s confidence in citizens and businesses.

Ease of Living

• The Bill is not just about businesses; it is equally about citizens’ daily lives.
• By removing redundant imprisonment clauses, the average citizen’s interaction with law becomes simpler and less intimidating.
• It reduces harassment, streamlines compliance, and promotes transparency.
• This aligns with India’s vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047.

Legislative Process

• The Bill was introduced by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry in the Lok Sabha on August 18, 2025.
• The Lok Sabha Speaker referred it to a Select Committee for detailed examination.
• The Select Committee is expected to present its report in the next parliamentary session, after which the Bill may be debated and passed into law.
• This process ensures broader consultation, refinement, and consensus-building.

Conclusion

The Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025 is a landmark step towards simplifying India’s legal framework and ensuring that laws keep pace with the nation’s developmental journey. By decriminalising minor offences, rationalising penalties, and modernising compliance mechanisms, the Bill seeks to create a balance between regulation and trust.

For students preparing for the UPSC, MPSC, and other competitive exams, this Bill is highly relevant under topics such as Polity, Governance, Ease of Doing Business, and economic reforms. It exemplifies India’s shift towards a citizen-centric and business-friendly governance model, paving the way for inclusive growth.