Context: Jan Vishwas Bill 2025
The Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025–26 aims to decriminalise minor offences and promote a trust-based, proportionate regulatory system.
Scale and Nature of Reform
• ~717 provisions across 79 Central Acts
• Minor procedural lapses → monetary / civil penalties instead of jail
• Graded penalties introduced
Key Examples
Corporate compliance
• Companies Act, 2013
• Filing delays → penalty
Environmental compliance
• Environment Protection Act, 1986
• Procedural violations → financial penalty
Consumer / trade rules
• Legal Metrology Act, 2009
• Labelling defects → civil offence
Concerns / Issues
• Increased administrative discretion
• Weak appellate safeguards in some cases
• Risk of penalties without reducing compliance burden



