Ease of Doing Business: Strengthening India’s Business Framework

1. At a Glance

• Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) = composite of regulatory simplification, decriminalisation, digital governance and trust-based administration to reduce cost/time of doing business [1][3].
• Driven by DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry [3].
• UPSC relevance: GS-III (economy/industry/investment), GS-II (governance, e-gov), and Prelims (BRAP, Jan Vishwas, B-READY) [1][2].

2. Why in the News

• Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 passed by both Houses; amends 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts under 23 Ministries, decriminalising 717 provisions [2].
• BRAP 2026 (8th edition) rolled out on 11 November 2025 by DPIIT [3].
• World Bank B-READY assessment of India scheduled in 2026, replacing the discontinued Doing Business Report [1].

3. Background & Evolution

• 2014–15: DPIIT launched the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) to rank States/UTs [3].
• 2015 onwards: annual BRAP editions; states ranked on reform implementation [3].
• 2020: World Bank discontinued Doing Business Report; successor B-READY announced [1].
• 2023: Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 — amended 42 Central Acts, decriminalised 183 provisions [2].
• 2025: District-level D-BRAP launched with Implementation Guidebook [3].
• 2026: Jan Vishwas Bill 2026 enacted [2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal body: DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry [3].
• Flagship programme: Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP), launched 2015 [3].
• Latest edition: BRAP 2026 (8th), rolled out 11 Nov 2025 [3].
• Key statute: Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023; Jan Vishwas Bill, 2026 [2].
• Global benchmark: World Bank B-READY (Business Ready) — India assessment in 2026 [1].
• Compliance reduction (as of Nov 2025): >47,000 compliances reduced — 16,108 simplified, 22,287 digitised, 4,458 decriminalised, 4,270 redundant removed [3].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• FDI inflows USD 748.38 billion during 2014–25, a 143% increase over previous 11-yr period [3].
• Active registered companies rose from 1.55 lakh (2020–21) to 1.98 lakh (2025–26) — ~27% growth in 5 yrs [3].

Legal / Constitutional

• Jan Vishwas Acts replace imprisonment for minor procedural offences with graded monetary penalties, retaining strict action only for serious public-health/safety violations [2].
• 2026 Bill rationalises >1,000 offences across 79 Central Acts [2].

Administrative / Federalism

• BRAP rankings drive cooperative-competitive federalism across States/UTs [3].
• D-BRAP extends reform competition to district level [3].

Scientific / Technological

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) underpins single-window clearances, paperless incorporation, digital land records, e-procurement [1][3].
• Union Budget 2026–27 emphasises digital trade facilitation, trust-based customs, tax certainty [3].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 12 Aug 2025: Union Cabinet approved Jan Vishwas Bill 2025 (precursor) [3].
• 11 Nov 2025: BRAP 2026 rolled out by DPIIT [3].
• 2026: Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 passed by Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha [2].
• 2026: World Bank B-READY India assessment scheduled [1].
• Budget 2026–27: focus on compliance/litigation reduction, investment-friendly tax regime [3].

7. Prelims Hooks

• BRAP launched in 2015 by DPIIT [3].
• BRAP 2026 = 8th edition, rolled out 11 November 2025 [3].
• Jan Vishwas Act 2023 amended 42 Central Acts, decriminalised 183 provisions [2].
• Jan Vishwas Bill 2026 amends 784 provisions, 79 Acts, 23 Ministries; decriminalises 717 [2].
• World Bank's B-READY replaces the Doing Business Report [1].
• D-BRAP = District Business Reform Action Plan [3].
• DPIIT is under Ministry of Commerce & Industry (not MCA) [3].
• Over 47,000 compliances reduced as of Nov 2025 [3].
• FDI 2014–25: USD 748.38 bn (143% rise) [3].
• Active companies: 1.98 lakh as on 3 Feb 2026 [3].
• Jan Vishwas Bill 2026 introduced in Lok Sabha by MoS Commerce, Jitin Prasada [2].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Indian economy, mobilisation of resources, growth, investment models.
• GS-II: Governance, e-governance, statutory bodies, cooperative federalism.
• Plausible stems:
• "Discuss how decriminalisation of economic offences via the Jan Vishwas framework has reshaped India's regulatory environment."
• "Examine the role of BRAP and D-BRAP in promoting competitive federalism in Ease of Doing Business."
• "Critically assess the readiness of India for the World Bank B-READY assessment."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Make in India / PLI schemes — complementary industrial push.
• Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 — exit framework for businesses.
• GST & Faceless Assessment — tax simplification.
• National Single Window System (NSWS) — clearances portal.
• Startup India / Stand-up India — entry-level reforms.
• Logistics: PM GatiShakti & National Logistics Policy — market connectivity.
• Labour Codes (2019–20) — compliance rationalisation.
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) — enabler of paperless governance.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing DPIIT (Commerce Ministry) with MCA (Corporate Affairs) — BRAP is under DPIIT.
• Mixing Jan Vishwas 2023 (42 Acts/183 provisions) with 2026 (79 Acts/717 decriminalised) [2].
• Assuming Doing Business Report is still active — it was discontinued; B-READY is the successor [1].
• BRAP ranks States/UTs, not cities; D-BRAP is the district extension [3].
• Jan Vishwas does not decriminalise serious public-safety offences — only minor/procedural ones [2].