⚖️ Law & Judiciary · UPSC track
Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill, 2026: Decriminalizing Minor Offences
The **Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026** amends 79 Central Acts to replace criminal penalties for minor lapses with civil ones.
- The Bill proposes amendments in 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries, covering 784 provisions.
- It seeks to decriminalize 717 provisions and introduce 67 ease of living provisions.
- Examples include a ₹1,000 civil penalty for refusing a railway berth, replacing prior criminal fines.
- The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 now offers a 30-day grace period for expired driving licenses.
💡 For the exam: Remember, Jan Vishwas Bill, 2026 aims for ease of living by replacing criminal penalties for minor offenses across 79 Central Acts with civil ones, exemplified by the 30-day driving license grace period.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2248925