Overview
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the Parliament passed the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025. This Bill seeks to repeal or amend 71 obsolete and outdated laws with the primary goal of enhancing the ease of living for citizens. The legislation addresses issues such as outdated regulations, errors in existing laws, and discriminatory aspects within certain legal provisions.
Key Developments
Passage of the Bill
The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025, was piloted in the Rajya Sabha by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Bill was approved by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, 2025, following its approval by the Lok Sabha on December 16, 2025.
Objectives of the Bill
- Removing Outdated Laws: The primary aim is to eliminate laws that are no longer relevant or applicable in the current context.
- Correcting Errors: The Bill seeks to rectify errors that may have occurred during the law-making process.
- Removing Discrimination: It aims to eliminate discriminatory aspects present in certain laws, ensuring equality and fairness.
Ministerial Statements
Mr. Meghwal emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing the ease of living for citizens, stating, "We give priority to ease of living along with ease of doing business." He also highlighted the need to address discriminatory provisions within existing laws, such as those in the Indian Succession Act, 1925, which treat different religious communities differently.
Debate and Discussion
While supporting the Bill, Vivek K. Tankha (Congress) raised concerns about the government's assessment of the Bill's impact on people on the ground. Several other members, including Subhash Barala (BJP) and Sushmita Deo (AITC), participated in the discussion, highlighting the need for course correction and addressing provisions that may work against civil liberty and democracy.
Specific Amendments and Repeals
Acts to be Repealed
The Bill seeks to repeal 71 Acts, including:
- The Indian Tramways Act, 1886
- The Levy Sugar Price Equalisation Fund Act, 1976
- The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (Determination of Conditions of Service of Employees) Act, 1988
Acts to be Amended
The Bill also proposes amendments to four Acts:
- The General Clauses Act, 1897
- The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (to update terminologies for registered posts)
- The Indian Succession Act, 1925 (to remove the requirement for court validation of wills in certain cases)
- The Disaster Management Act, 2005 (to rectify a drafting error)
Government's Efforts Since 2014
Mr. Meghwal stated that since 2014, 1,577 old archaic laws have been either repealed or amended, with 1,562 laws repealed and 15 reenacted.
Exam Relevance
This news is relevant for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, particularly for GS Paper 2 (Governance, Polity, Social Justice). It highlights the government's efforts to streamline the legal framework, remove obsolete laws, and promote ease of living. The amendments to the Indian Succession Act, 1925, are particularly relevant for understanding issues related to social justice and equality.
Key Takeaways
- The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025, is a significant step towards modernizing India's legal framework.
- The Bill addresses issues related to outdated laws, errors, and discriminatory provisions.
- The government has been actively working to repeal or amend old laws since 2014.