New Delhi – The Association of Indian Medical Devices Industry (AiMeD) has expressed its strong support for the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament on April 3, 2026. This landmark legislation decriminalises numerous minor offences in the medical device sector, shifting the regulatory landscape toward a trust-based governance model.
The Jan Vishwas Bill, 2026, represents a significant leap in India’s “Ease of Doing Business” initiative, specifically impacting the medical device and healthcare sectors. AiMeD highlighted the critical role played by the NITI Aayog (under the Rajiv Gauba Committee) and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in coordinating these reforms across 23 ministries.
- Decriminalisation of Minor Offences: The bill amends 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts, with 717 offences being decriminalised. For medical device manufacturers, this means that minor procedural lapses—such as paperwork errors, non-maintenance of certain records, or non-submission of information—will no longer carry the threat of imprisonment.
- Graded Penalty Framework: Instead of immediate criminal prosecution, the new law introduces a graded approach:
- First-time violations: May result in improvement notices or warnings.
- Repeat offences: Will attract civil monetary penalties rather than jail time.
- Serious crimes: Strict criminal actions remain in place for serious violations that directly threaten public health or safety.
- Streamlined Adjudication: The bill shifts the handling of minor violations from the court system to designated adjudicating officers. This is expected to significantly reduce the burden on India’s legal system and provide faster resolution for businesses.
- Industry Impact: Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of AiMeD, stated that these reforms align with international best practices and will empower Indian manufacturers to innovate and compete globally without the constant fear of punitive harassment.
