New Delhi, April 3: The Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill 2026 introduces significant changes to key health laws, aiming to simplify compliance while maintaining robust public health safeguards. This statement was released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday.
The new bill amends several important laws within the health sector, including the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, the Pharmacy Act of 1948, the Food Safety and Standards Act, the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act of 2010, and the National Commission for Allied and Health Care Professions Act of 2021.
A notable feature of these reforms is the replacement of criminal penalties, particularly imprisonment, for minor procedural violations with graded monetary fines. This shift indicates a move towards a more streamlined regulatory framework while retaining strict actions for serious violations that impact public health and safety.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that several provisions in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 have been amended to impose financial penalties instead of imprisonment, establishing a more organized adjudication mechanism. Specifically, a new adjudication process has been introduced under Sections 27A(ii) and 28A for violations. This ensures that minor offenses related to cosmetics (excluding counterfeit or adulterated products) can be resolved without court intervention, allowing for resolution through a civil penalty system.
Additionally, violations such as failure to maintain records or submit information, which previously resulted in court-imposed fines or imprisonment, can now be addressed through this civil penalty mechanism. For the first time, the Act provides for the appointment of adjudicating authorities by both the central and state governments, along with a defined process for issuing show-cause notices, conducting personal hearings, and managing appeals.
These reforms are expected to significantly reduce the burden on courts, simplify litigation complexities, and expedite the resolution of minor compliance-related issues. This is particularly beneficial for the cosmetics industry, as it allows for systematic and predictable handling of minor violations, such as failure to maintain statutory records or documents, freeing them from prolonged litigation.
Anant Goenka, Chairman of FICCI, welcomed the Jan Vishwas Bill 2026 as a transformative shift towards a trust-based and facilitative regulatory framework under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. By decriminalizing over 1,000 offenses under 79 Acts and rationalizing penalties, this reform enhances clarity, predictability, and proportionality in compliance, strengthens ease of doing business, promotes entrepreneurship and innovation, and solidifies India’s position as a globally competitive investment destination.
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