The Union Budget 2025-26 has announced the Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0, which looks to decriminalize more than 100 outdated legal provisions with a view to ease doing business in India. This is an extension of the success of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which had decriminalized more than 180 legal provisions by removing the imprisonment for minor offenses and instead replacing them with monetary fines.

Key Highlights:
Further Decriminalization of Business Laws:
More than 100 other provisions will be decriminalized under Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0, further lightening the compliance burden.

Legislative Reforms for Business Growth:

• Companies Act 2013: Small cases of delayed filings may be treated as civil offenses rather than criminal offenses.

• Trade Marks Act 1999: Imprisonment may be removed from minor offenses such as misleading business connections (Section 108).

• Intellectual Property Laws: The bill is likely to further relax the punishments under copyright, patents, and geographical indications laws.

• Industries Impacted: The bill is likely to affect agriculture, labor, and commerce sectors, with amendments in:

• Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940

• Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006

• Shift from Court Trials to Administrative Authorities: Some offenses will be dealt with by designated authorities rather than courts, thus reducing the judicial burden.

Statements from Leaders or Officials:

• Gauhar Mirza, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas

Jan Vishwas 2.0 will see the compounding of some crimes by designated authority rather than in courts. Fears of jailing for smaller infractions can reduce and facilitate a business friendly regulatory environment

• Raheel Patel, Partner, Gandhi Law Associates

Foreign investments are expected to increase since cross-border investors gravitate toward less compliance risk, predictable legal structure jurisdictions. India can enhance her ease of doing business rankings due to Jan Vishwas 2.0The Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 therefore aims to simplify compliance with regulations, promote entrepreneurship, and reduce legal uncertainties. However, experts warn that the right implementation would balance ease of doing business with oversight by regulators. If successful, therefore, this reform should transform India's investment climate and enhance the country's standing among global businesses.