The 2026 Monsoon Session of Parliament, held from July 20 to August 13, saw both Houses pass 12 Bills covering areas ranging from examination malpractice and judicial infrastructure to banking records, tribunals, MSMEs, taxation and mining regulation. While several measures introduced significant legal changes, most of the Bills were passed with limited parliamentary debate, with only a few receiving substantial discussion.
The session also witnessed several Bills receiving Presidential assent and becoming law, while others remained pending for assent or were referred for further consideration. Among the major legislative developments were stricter penalties for examination malpractice, an increase in the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges, creation of a proposed National Tribunals Commission, and changes to the legal framework governing banking records and delayed registration of births and deaths.
Parliament Passes 12 Bills During Monsoon Session
The Monsoon Session commenced on July 20 and concluded on August 13.
According to the session recap, 11 Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha, while two Bills were introduced in the Rajya Sabha. Parliament ultimately passed 12 Bills during the session.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was separately referred to a Joint Committee of both Houses for further examination.
The legislative session was notable not only for the number of Bills passed but also for the limited debate accompanying several of them.
Several Bills Passed With Little Parliamentary Debate
Only two of the 12 Bills reportedly received substantial parliamentary discussion.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 received particularly extensive debate. Forty-eight Members of Parliament participated in the Lok Sabha discussion, which lasted more than 10 hours, while the Rajya Sabha considered the Bill for more than six and a half hours with participation from 35 MPs.
In contrast, the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by the Lok Sabha in approximately four minutes, although the Rajya Sabha subsequently debated it for more than two hours with 33 MPs participating.
The Tribunals Reforms Bill, MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill and Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill were among the measures passed in the Lok Sabha with limited discussion.
1. Prevention of Insults to National Honour Amendment Act, 2026
One of the prominent legislative changes concerned the legal protection accorded to the National Song, Vande Mataram.
The amendment extends the statutory protection available under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 to the National Song alongside the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
The amended Section 3 provides punishment for a person who intentionally prevents the singing of the National Anthem or National Song, or causes disturbance to an assembly engaged in such singing.
The offence carries imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on July 29, followed by the Lok Sabha on July 30. Presidential assent was subsequently granted on August 7.
2. Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026
The Public Examinations Amendment Bill was among the most extensively debated measures of the session.
The legislation amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and introduces significantly stricter penalties for examination malpractice and organised cheating.
Key Changes
The amendment increases the minimum punishment for individuals engaging in unfair means from three years to five years' imprisonment.
The maximum imprisonment has been increased from five years to ten years, while the maximum fine has been raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
For organised offences relating to public examinations, the minimum imprisonment has been increased from five years to seven years and the minimum fine from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore.
The legislation also introduces a two-month deadline for completing investigations and enables the Central Government to constitute a Special Task Force for investigating offences under the legislation.
Cases may additionally be referred to a Central Investigating Agency.
The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on July 29 and the Rajya Sabha on July 30. The President gave assent on July 31.
3. Registration of Births and Deaths Amendment Act, 2026
The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2026 changes the procedure applicable to delayed registration.
The amendment to Section 13 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 reduces the need for judicial intervention where information regarding a birth or death is furnished after one year but within two years.
Under the amended framework, delayed registration within this period can be permitted by:
A District Magistrate;
A Sub-Divisional Magistrate; or
An Executive Magistrate authorised by the District Magistrate.
However, where information is furnished more than two years after the occurrence, an order from a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class will continue to be required.
The Act will come into force on a date to be notified by the Central Government.
Previously, applications for registration made after one year required an order from a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class.
4. Supreme Court Judges' Strength Increased From 34 to 38
Parliament also passed legislation increasing the sanctioned strength of judges of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks to increase the sanctioned strength from 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India, to 38.
During the Rajya Sabha debate, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that the proposal followed a communication from CJI Surya Kant to the Prime Minister seeking an increase in the Court's sanctioned strength.
The Chief Justice had reportedly highlighted the increasing case burden and the effect of Constitution Bench proceedings on the Supreme Court's regular disposal capacity.
The President gave assent to the legislation on August 11, 2026.
5. Appropriation (No. 3) Act, 2026
The Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026 concerned excess grants for the financial year 2022–23.
The legislation authorises appropriation from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet expenditure incurred on specified services during the financial year ending March 31, 2023, in excess of the amounts originally granted.
The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 4 and returned by the Rajya Sabha on August 6. Presidential assent was granted on August 11.
6. MSME Development Amendment Bill, 2026
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to introduce changes to the MSMED Act aimed at facilitating the growth and development of the MSME sector.
The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on August 3 and subsequently by the Lok Sabha on August 7.
Presidential assent was granted on August 13.
7. Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026
The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 seeks to modernise the legal framework governing banking records.
One of its principal changes is an expanded definition of "bankers' books" covering records maintained in:
Physical form;
Electronic form;
Digital form;
Virtual environments;
Cloud-based systems; and
Other technological formats.
The legislation is intended to create a technology-neutral framework for evidentiary use of banking records.
It also standardises certificates and recognises manual, digital and electronic authentication. Electronic records may be produced either physically or electronically.
The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 5 and the Rajya Sabha on August 10, with Presidential assent granted on August 13.
8. Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026
Parliament also passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, proposing to change the official name of the State from "Kerala" to "Keralam".
The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on August 12 after the Lok Sabha had passed it on August 11. The Bill was awaiting Presidential assent at the time of the session recap.
The proposal follows a resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2024 seeking the change of the State's name.
The Union Government had approved the proposal in February 2026, following which the President referred the matter to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution.
9. Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026
The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 proposes significant institutional changes to the administration and functioning of tribunals.
One of its major proposals is the establishment of a National Tribunals Commission to oversee appointments, administration and functioning of tribunals.
The proposed Commission would comprise:
A Chairperson;
Two Judicial Members; and
Two Technical Members.
It would be responsible for conducting selection processes, reviewing performance, handling complaints and maintaining a National Tribunals Data Grid containing case-related information.
The proposed framework covers 16 tribunals and authorities, including the Central and State Administrative Tribunals, Securities Appellate Tribunal, Debts Recovery Tribunal, Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, Armed Forces Tribunal, National Green Tribunal, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal and Income-tax Appellate Tribunal.
The Bill was passed by both Houses and received Presidential assent on August 13.
10. Taxation and Other Laws Amendment Bill, 2026
The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to repeal and replace the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.
The legislation also proposes amendments to the Finance Act, 2026 and the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 6 and the Rajya Sabha on August 10. At the time of the recap, it was awaiting Presidential assent.
11. National Co-operative Development Corporation Amendment Bill, 2026
The National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to modernise provisions of the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962.
Among its proposed changes is an expansion of the definition of "foodstuffs" to include other food items that may be notified by the Central Government.
The legislation also removes certain geographical restrictions applicable to industrial goods and updates statutory provisions governing the Corporation.
The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 11 and Rajya Sabha on August 12 and was awaiting Presidential assent at the time of the recap.
12. Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks to introduce changes to the fiscal and regulatory framework governing the mineral sector.
The Bill aims to provide greater certainty, stability and predictability in the fiscal regime and proposes to empower the Central Government to regulate mineral-bearing lands according to prescribed parameters.
It also seeks to restrict State Governments from imposing specified levies except in accordance with conditions prescribed by the Central Government.
The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 12 and the Rajya Sabha on August 13 and was awaiting Presidential assent at the time of the session recap.
Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill Referred to Joint Committee
Apart from the 12 Bills passed during the session, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was referred to a Joint Committee of both Houses.
The Bill therefore remains subject to further parliamentary examination rather than forming part of the legislation finally passed during the session.
What Were the Major Legal Changes?
The Monsoon Session produced legislative changes across several important areas of Indian law.
| Area | Major Development |
|---|---|
| Criminal Law & Examinations | Stricter punishment for examination malpractice |
| Constitutional & Judicial Administration | Supreme Court judge strength increased |
| Evidence Law | Banking records framework expanded to digital and cloud records |
| Tribunal Law | Proposed National Tribunals Commission |
| Civil Registration | Simplified authority structure for certain delayed registrations |
| MSME Law | Amendments aimed at sectoral growth and development |
| Mining Law | Greater Central regulatory role over mineral-bearing lands |
| National Symbols | Statutory protection extended to the National Song |
| State Reorganisation | Proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam |
| Taxation | Amendments concerning income-tax and payment systems legislation |
Why the 2026 Monsoon Session Matters
The Monsoon Session was significant because several of the measures passed during the period affect the functioning of courts, criminal enforcement, public examinations, tribunals, banking institutions and economic regulation.
The increase in the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is particularly relevant to judicial administration, while the proposed National Tribunals Commission could reshape how tribunals are appointed, administered and supervised.
The amendments concerning examination malpractice also represent a substantial tightening of criminal penalties in response to concerns surrounding organised cheating and examination paper leaks.
At the same time, the limited debate accompanying several Bills raises broader questions about the legislative scrutiny of complex statutory reforms. The session recap records that nine Lok Sabha Bills were passed without any MP other than the concerned Minister speaking on them, while several others received only limited discussion.
Key Takeaways
Parliament passed 12 Bills during the 2026 Monsoon Session.
Several Bills were passed with limited parliamentary debate, while the Public Examinations Amendment Bill received extensive discussion.
Examination malpractice now faces significantly higher proposed statutory penalties under the amended framework.
The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court has been increased from 34 to 38 judges.
The Tribunals Reforms Bill proposes a National Tribunals Commission to oversee appointments and administration.
Banking evidence law has been expanded to cover digital, electronic, virtual and cloud-based records.
Delayed registration of births and deaths within two years can now be dealt with by designated executive authorities rather than requiring a Judicial Magistrate.
Parliament has also advanced proposals concerning the renaming of Kerala as Keralam and reforms to mining regulation.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was referred to a Joint Committee for further examination.
Session: Parliament Monsoon Session 2026
Session Dates: July 20, 2026 – August 13, 2026
Major Legislation: Public Examinations Amendment Act, Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, Registration of Births and Deaths Amendment Act, Tribunals Reforms Act, Bankers' Books Evidence Act, MSME Development Amendment Act and other legislative measures.