Overview On December 12, 2025 , the Union Cabinet approved a Bill aimed at repealing 71 laws that are considered to have outlived their utility. This initiative is part of a broader effort to streamline the legal framework and remove unnecessary clutter from the statute books. Key Developments Details of the Repeal Total Laws to be Repealed: 71 Amendments to Principal Acts: 65 Principal Laws: 6 Historical Context: At least one of the laws slated for repeal originates from the British era . Rationale for the Repeal The primary objective of this legislative action is to eliminate laws that are no longer relevant or effective. According to officials, the focus is not specifically on targeting colonial-era laws but rather on removing any Acts that have outlived their utility. An official explained that once an amendment is passed and incorporated into the principal law, the separate amendment law becomes redundant and only adds unnecessary volume to the statute books. This repeal aims to simplify and clarify the legal landscape. Impact and Context Previous Repeals To date, a total of 1,562 old and archaic laws have been repealed, demonstrating a sustained effort to modernize and streamline the Indian legal system. UPSC Relevance This news is relevant to the UPSC Civil Services Exam , particularly under GS Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) . It highlights the government's efforts to improve governance by removing outdated laws and promoting a more efficient legal framework. Potential Exam Questions Discuss the importance of repealing outdated laws for effective governance. Analyze the challenges involved in identifying and repealing archaic laws. Evaluate the impact of such repeals on the Indian legal system and society.