List of Important Bills & Acts of 2025

If you think nothing major changed in Indian law in 2025, you missed the point. Because this was the year Parliament quietly reached into almost every part of our lives.

One Bill tried to decide when a Prime Minister must step aside. Another banned online money gaming. Somewhere else, Parliament decided how many days of work a rural family is guaranteed. How many days of work is a rural family guaranteed? Who can own insurance companies? How religious property is managed. All of this happened in this year's Parliament session.

Some Bills/Acts were assented. Some were protested. Some are already in court. But this year where law moved faster than public attention.

And that’s why this list of the most important Bills and Acts of 2025 matters. What they changed, why they were introduced, and what they tell you about the direction Indian law and politics are taking. If you want to understand 2025, this is where you start.

What are Bills?

A bill is a proposed piece of legislation introduced in Parliament to create a new law, amend an existing one, or repeal an outdated law. Every law we follow today was once just a bill.

There are different types of Bills- Ordinary Bill (deals with general matters like education, crime, or the environment), Money Bill (concerns taxes, government spending, and revenue), Financial Bill (involves financial matters beyond money bills), Constitutional Amendment Bill (seeks to amend the Constitution), Government Bill (introduced by a minister), Private Member’s Bill (introduced by a non-minister MP).

What Happens to a Bill? Introduced in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha ➡️ Debated, discussed, and scrutinized ➡️ Passed by both Houses ➡️ Gets the President’s assent ➡️ Becomes an Act (Law)

Want to understand how Ordinary, Money, Financial, and Constitutional Amendment Bills differ in procedure and power? Read this explainer on Types of bills in the Indian Parliament.

Complete List of Bills Introduced In The Parliament In 2025

Major Bills & Acts Passed In 2025

1. Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (G RAM G) Act, 2025

Read the Act here: link 

Viksit Bharat – G RAM G Act, 2025 is a new rural employment law that reimagines India’s work guarantee system for today’s rural realities. It replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a framework aligned to the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, moving beyond short-term wage support to focus on durable infrastructure, income security, and accountability.

Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development

Date of Introduction: 16 December 2025  (Lok Sabha)

Key Provisions 

The Act replaces MGNREGA and expands rural employment while redesigning funding, planning, and monitoring of works under a new national framework.

• More Work, More Income: Guaranteed employment increases from 100 days to 125 days per rural household every year. If work is not provided within 15 days, the unemployment allowance will still be paid by the state.

• New Funding Model: The scheme becomes a centrally sponsored scheme.

  1. Center–state cost sharing will be 60:40 for most states and 90:10 for the Northeastern and Himalayan states.

  2. States must bear costs beyond the normative allocation fixed by the Centre.

• No Clash with Farming Seasons: States must announce a pause of up to 60 days during peak agricultural seasons like sowing and harvesting.

• Focused Development Planning: Village-level plans must focus on four areas:

  1. Water security

  2. Rural infrastructure

  3. Livelihood-supporting assets

  4. Protection against extreme weather

  5. Plans will be linked with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

• Technology-Driven Transparency: Use of biometric authentication, geo-mapping, real-time dashboards, and weekly public disclosures is mandated.

Importance: For rural households, this means more guaranteed workdays and better-paid public assets. For villages, it promises climate-resilient infrastructure instead of short-term works. For governance, it signals a shift from welfare-only employment to development-linked rural growth.

2. Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

Read the Act here: link 

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, was passed by Parliament on April 5, 2025, to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. It aims to make the administration of waqf properties in India more transparent, accountable, and inclusive, while preventing misuse of public and government land. The Act introduces digital systems, stricter property verification, and greater participation of women and minorities in waqf governance.

Key Provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

• Ownership Requirement: Only lawful property owners who can legally transfer or dedicate property may create a waqf.

• Protection of Government and Tribal Lands: Government land or tribal land under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules cannot be declared as waqf.

• Digital Waqf Database: All waqf properties must be digitally registered on a central online portal within six months, containing details like boundaries, income, and current use.

• Role of District Collector: The Collector replaces the Survey Commissioner for verifying and surveying waqf properties to ensure accurate ownership records.

• Mandatory Written Deed: No waqf can be created without a written deed, which must be uploaded through the official digital system.

• Representation and Inclusivity: Waqf Boards must include women, non-Muslims, and representatives from Shia, Sunni, Bohra, and Aghakhani communities for diverse governance.

• Separate Boards: States may create separate boards for Bohras and Aghakhanis where such waqfs exist.

• Audit and Transparency: Every waqf must undergo an annual audit, and reports must be published online.

• Disqualification of Mutawallis: Individuals convicted of offenses, corruption, or encroachment cannot serve as Mutawallis (caretakers).

• Encroachment and Penalties: Fines up to ₹1 lakh and imprisonment up to 6 months for failing to register, encroaching, or violating waqf property norms.

Why was the Act in the spotlight?

• The law directly affects religious endowments and community-managed institutions, making it politically and socially sensitive.

• It triggered protests, public debate, and sharp reactions from opposition parties.

• The amendment was seen as part of a broader trend of increased state regulation of religious institutions.

What Critics and the Opposition Said

• The Act increases government control over Waqf properties, reducing community autonomy.

• Removal of waqf by a user could affect historically recognized religious properties.

• Expanded administrative discretion may lead to arbitrary decision-making.

• Concerns were raised regarding violation of Religious freedom, Minority rights, Constitutional safeguards

• Multiple petitions challenging the Act’s constitutional validity were filed before courts.

3. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025

Status: Referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee

The bill was introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Lok Sabha on 20 August 2025. Unlike ordinary laws, this bill seeks to amend the Constitution itself, which immediately placed it under intense public and political scrutiny. 

About the Bill

The bill was introduced against the backdrop of persistent concerns about the criminalization of politics. In India, it is not uncommon for ministers to continue holding executive office even after being arrested in serious criminal cases. The Constitution does not currently provide any automatic consequence for such situations. This Bill attempts to fill that gap by linking criminal detention with continuation in the executive office.

Key Provisions 

At the heart of the Bill is a proposal that sets clear constitutional consequences for the prolonged detention of Ministers.

• The Bill provides that if a Minister is accused of an offense punishable with five years or more of imprisonment and is detained for a continuous period of 30 days, they may be required to step down from office.

• This provision is not limited to ordinary Ministers. It applies equally to:

  • Union Ministers

  • Chief Ministers

  • Even the Prime Minister

• The removal is not automatic in the sense of a court conviction. Instead, the Constitution would empower constitutional authorities such as the President or the Governor, acting on constitutional advice, to give effect to this removal once the conditions of detention are met.

In simple terms, the Bill does not wait for a conviction, which can take years. It treats prolonged detention in serious cases as sufficient reason to prevent a person from continuing to exercise executive power.

Why the Bill Came into the Spotlight

The Bill quickly became one of the most debated legislative proposals of 2025 because it directly affects the stability of elected governments. Supporters argued that it sends a strong message on ethical governance and ensures that executive authority is not exercised by individuals facing serious criminal allegations and long detention.

What the Opposition and Critics Said

Opposition parties and constitutional experts raised multiple concerns:

• They argued that removing a Minister based on detention rather than conviction undermines the principle of presumption of innocence.

• There were fears that arrest powers could be misused to politically target leaders and destabilize governments.

• Critics also warned that linking executive tenure to investigative actions may disturb the separation of powers between law enforcement agencies and elected institutions.

Because of these concerns, Parliament decided that the Bill required deeper scrutiny rather than immediate passage.

4. Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025

Read the Act here: link 

The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025, is a legislative reform enacted to modernize and consolidate India’s insurance sector. It was passed to amend three major laws—the Insurance Act, 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956, and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. The Act focuses on improving regulatory clarity, promoting transparency and digitization, and enhancing foreign investment flexibility in the insurance industry.

Ministry: Ministry of Finance

Date of introduction:  16 December 2025 (Lok Sabha)

Key Provisions

The Act amends India’s core insurance laws to liberalize investment, strengthen regulation, and improve protection for policyholders.

• 100% Foreign Investment: The Act introduces Section 3AA, allowing up to 100% foreign ownership in Indian insurance companies, aiming to boost sectoral growth and global participation.

• Digitalization and KYC Norms: It mandates electronic maintenance of policy and claim records, introduces digital KYC verification, and requires insurers to safeguard customer data with confidentiality measures (Sections 14A–14C).

• Expanded Definition of Insurance Business: The amendment broadens “insurance business” to include life, general, health, and re-insurance categories, and empowers the government to notify new classes as needed.

• Strengthened Governance and Oversight: The IRDAI is given enhanced powers to issue directions, conduct investigations, and impose penalties up to ₹10 crore for violations.

• Transparency and Regulatory Reforms: New provisions require public consultation before issuing regulations and mandate publication of penalties and disciplinary actions online.

• Modern Investment Norms: Updated rules for investment of insurers’ assets, ensuring prudence, diversification, and increased flexibility for domestic and foreign investors.

• Data Protection and Cybersecurity: Insurers must maintain accurate, secure, and confidential policyholder information under IRDAI oversight.

• Policyholders’ Protection Fund: A new fund will be created to educate policyholders and protect their interests, financed through penalties and grants.

• Simplified Registration for Insurers and Intermediaries: Streamlines the licensing process, including for insurance brokers, agents, and corporate intermediaries, with clear penalties for unregistered operations.

5. Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025

Read the Act here: link 

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025 is a comprehensive law enacted to promote, regulate, and ensure the safe use of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation for peaceful purposes across sectors. This Act replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and related legislations, establishing a modern framework that allows regulated private sector participation, strengthens nuclear safety and regulatory independence, and aligns India’s nuclear policy with global standards for sustainable and secure energy development.

Ministry: Department of Atomic Energy

Date of introduction: 15 December 2025  (Lok Sabha)

Key Provisions

The Act repeals and replaces both existing nuclear laws, allowing limited private participation while retaining strong safety and liability safeguards.

• Establishment of a Licensing Framework: Any person or entity—public or private—must obtain a license from the Central Government for setting up nuclear facilities or undertaking nuclear-related activities such as mining, processing, transportation, or use of radioactive substances. A safety authorization from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is mandatory where radiation exposure may occur.

• Public and Private Sector Involvement: Unlike the earlier monopoly of government bodies, the SHANTI Act allows regulated private sector participation in nuclear research, development, and energy production under strict safety and security norms.

• Nuclear Liability and Insurance: The Act specifies clear liability provisions for operators of nuclear installations in case of a nuclear incident. It mandates operators to maintain insurance or financial security to cover damages, with the Central Government assuming excess liability through a Nuclear Liability Fund.

• Formation of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): The AERB, reconstituted under this Act, is granted greater autonomy to enforce nuclear and radiation safety standards, issue safety authorizations, and monitor compliance.

• Nuclear Safety, Security, and Waste Management: The Act introduces comprehensive measures for radiation safety, waste disposal, and spent fuel management. It mandates adherence to international standards and safeguards for nuclear materials.

• Research, Innovation, and Technology Development: Encourages AI, quantum computing, and advanced materials research in nuclear science. Establishes provisions for private and academic collaboration in nuclear innovation for clean energy and industrial applications.

• Nuclear Incident Management: The Act provides a legal mechanism for compensation and redressal in case of nuclear incidents, including the establishment of a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission and Claims Commissioner.

• Central Government Powers and Oversight: The Central Government retains control over strategic nuclear activities, safety policies, and the formulation of a National Nuclear Energy Policy consistent with India’s sustainable energy goals.

6. Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025

The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 1, 2025, to replace the ordinance promulgated on October 7, 2025. It amends the Manipur GST Act, 2017, which governs State GST on intra-state supplies, to align it with the Central GST Act, 2017, as amended by the Finance Act, 2025, ensuring uniform GST implementation across India.

Ministry: Ministry of Finance

Date of introduction: 1 December 2025 (Lok Sabha)

Key Provisions 

Aligns the Manipur GST Act with recent changes made to the Central GST framework.

• Unique Identification Marking: The bill empowers the state government to require specific goods to carry a unique identification marking—such as a digital stamp, digital mark, or other secure, non-removable mark—to ensure traceability and curb tax evasion.

• Stricter Credit Note Rules: A supplier may issue credit notes in cases of excess tax charged, returned goods, or deficiencies in goods/services. The amendment clarifies that no reduction in tax liability will be allowed if the input tax credit (ITC) linked to that credit note has been availed by the recipient and not reversed, ensuring accountability in ITC claims.

• GST Exemption for SEZ Warehousing: The bill expands Schedule III of the Act to include the supply of goods warehoused in a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) or Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) as non-taxable transactions when supplied before clearance for export or to the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).

• Clear Appeal Deposit Rules: For penalty-only cases, an appeal requires a 10% pre-deposit, ensuring clarity and consistency.

7. Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, establishes a legal framework for the regulation, licensing, and monitoring of online gaming activities in India. The Act seeks to promote responsible gaming, protect players from addiction and fraud, and ensure consumer rights, data privacy, and fair play. It aims to distinguish games of skill (permissible) from games of chance (restricted or banned), bringing transparency and accountability to India’s rapidly growing online gaming sector.

Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Date of introduction: 20 August 2025 (Lok Sabha)

Key Provisions 

Prohibits online money games while promoting and regulating safe online gaming formats.

• Complete Ban on Online Money Games: Applies regardless of whether the game involves skill, chance, or both.

• Mandatory Licensing: All gaming operators must obtain a valid license before offering any online game.

• Blocking Powers: The government may block gaming platforms, advertisements, and payment channels.

• Central Online Gaming Commission: Establishes a regulatory authority to license, monitor, and oversee online gaming operations in India.

• Promotion of E-Sports and Social Games: Recognizes skill-based e-sports and non-monetary online social games.

• Age and Identity Verification: Platforms must ensure strict age checks and KYC compliance to prevent minors from participating.

• Strict Penal Provisions:

  • Offering money games: imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to ₹50 lakhs

  • Offences are cognisable and non-bailable

8. Indian Ports Act, 2025

The Indian Ports Act, 2025, was introduced to replace the Indian Ports Act, 1908, a colonial-era legislation that no longer reflects the realities of modern port governance, coastal trade, and maritime safety. 

Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Date of introduction: 28 March 2025 (Lok Sabha)

Key Provisions 

Replaces the 1908 Act and modernizes port regulation.

• Establishes a National Council for Ports to coordinate between the Center and States.

• Allows States to set up State Maritime Boards to manage and regulate non-major ports.

• Introduces uniform licensing and regulatory standards for all ports.

• Mandates safety, security, and environmental compliance at all ports.

• Promotes digital governance through e-clearances and electronic record systems.

• Empowers the Central Government to issue directions and ensure national security and safety.

• Provides for penalties and enforcement actions for non-compliance.

• Sets up mechanisms for dispute resolution between authorities and operators.

• Aligns with National Maritime Vision 2030 to promote sustainable port development and global competitiveness.

9. Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025

The Right to Disconnect Bill, introduced as a Private Member’s Bill by MP Supriya Sule, seeks to recognize an employee’s right to not engage in work-related communication outside official working hours. In a time when phones, emails, and messaging apps blur the line between work and personal life, the bill attempts to legally define those boundaries.

The bill provides that employees cannot be compelled to respond to calls, messages, emails, or digital communication beyond agreed working hours. It proposes a framework where employers and employees must define clear after-hours communication rules. It also envisages an authority to oversee implementation and protect employees from workplace retaliation for exercising this right.

Why was it in the spotlight?

The bill struck a chord with India’s working population, especially in the private sector and IT-driven workplaces. It brought work-life balance into parliamentary debate for the first time in a serious way, drawing comparisons with similar laws in countries like France and Australia.

What Critics and the Opposition Said

Critics questioned whether such a right could be uniformly enforced across sectors, especially in emergency services and global companies operating across time zones. Others argued that labor laws already address excessive work hours and that the Bill could increase compliance burdens on employers.

Conclusion

The Bills of 2025 reveal a clear legislative pattern: law was used as an instrument of direction rather than reaction. Across welfare, finance, technology, religion, energy, and constitutional design, Parliament expanded regulatory reach while selectively strengthening guarantees. Some Bills moved swiftly; others invited resistance and judicial scrutiny, but together they reshaped how authority is exercised and checked. What stands out is not merely what was legislated, but how quietly consequential many of these laws were. 

To read the Bills of 2025 is to read the evolving priorities of the State and to understand why close attention to legislation remains essential in a democracy.

Curious about what actually happens after a Bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha? This guide on how a bill is passed in India explains the process clearly.