NEW DELHI: The Monsoon Session of the Indian Parliament, which commenced on July 20, 2026, concluded on August 13, 2026, after 19 sittings spread over 25 days. During the session, a total of 12 Bills were passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, reflecting significant legislative activity. The overall productivity of the Lok Sabha during this session was recorded at approximately 19%, while the Rajya Sabha achieved approximately 39% productivity.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the session saw the introduction of 11 Bills in the Lok Sabha and 2 Bills in the Rajya Sabha. Among the key legislative actions, two Ordinances, The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, and The Income-Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, were promulgated by the President prior to the session and subsequently considered and passed by both Houses in their amended forms.
The Demands for Excess Grants for the fiscal year 2022-23 were also taken up. The related Appropriation Bill was introduced, considered, and passed by the Lok Sabha on August 4, 2026, and subsequently returned by the Rajya Sabha on August 6, 2026. A significant development during the session was the referral of The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Committee of both Houses for detailed examination and reporting.
In an effort to address concerns related to public examinations, The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced. This Bill aims to amend the parent Act of 2024, strengthening the integrity and credibility of the public examination system. Key provisions include ensuring speedy investigation and time-bound trials for offenses, empowering State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to designate Special Fast Track Courts and appoint Special Public Prosecutors, mandating completion of investigations within two months and trials within three months, enabling the Central Government to constitute Special Task Forces for investigations, and enhancing penalties. The Bill was passed by both Houses and has received Presidential assent.
Several other important Bills were passed by both Houses. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the Act of 1971 to include Vande Mataram, the National Song, within the ambit of Section 3, making intentional prevention of its singing or disturbance to assemblies engaged in singing punishable. The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, amends the parent Act of 1969 to introduce a more stringent verification mechanism for delayed registration of births and deaths, requiring approvals from Executive or Judicial Magistrates for registrations after one year.
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aims to amend the Act of 2006 by providing a national digital platform for free MSME registration, improving access to finance, facilitating faster adjudication of delayed payment disputes, and promoting ease of doing business. It also decriminalizes certain offenses by replacing conviction-based fines with graded penalties. The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, expands the definition of “bankers’ books” to encompass all forms of bank records, whether physical, electronic, digital, or virtual, establishing a comprehensive, technology-neutral legal framework.
The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the First Schedule to the Constitution to change the name of the State of Kerala to Keralam, in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution. The National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, amends the Act of 1962 to broaden the definition of “foodstuffs,” remove geographical restrictions on industrial goods, and strengthen the cooperative sector through updated references and updated powers. The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, focuses on improving the efficiency, independence, and transparency of various Tribunals, establishing a National Tribunals Commission. Lastly, The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, aims to amend the Act of 1957 to ensure certainty, stability, and predictability in the mineral sector’s fiscal regime, thereby contributing to national economic growth and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Detailed lists of Bills introduced and passed by both Houses, along with those referred to committees, were appended to the session’s proceedings.
The Chenab Times News Desk