India’s Monsoon Session: 11 Bills Passed, FCRA Deferred

The Indian Parliament’s Monsoon Session concluded on Thursday, August 13, 2026, successfully passing 11 key bills despite frequent disruptions. Notably, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was deferred, requiring further examination by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Key Legislative Achievements

The session, which began on July 20, addressed a wide array of policy areas. New legislation covered critical sectors including taxation reforms, measures against competitive examination malpractices, and support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. The passed bills aim to modernize various legal frameworks.

• The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introduces changes impacting businesses and digital payment systems.
• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to curb paper leaks and examination malpractice through stricter penalties.
• The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, aims to boost mineral exploration activities nationwide.
• The MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was enacted to address persistent issues of delayed payments for small and medium businesses.
• The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, modernizes the legal framework governing digital banking records.

Broader Policy Revisions

Beyond economic and examination-related legislation, the Parliament also enacted bills touching upon national symbols, public record-keeping, and judicial structure. These measures reflect a comprehensive legislative effort across diverse governance aspects.

• The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, extends protection to ‘Vande Mataram’.
• The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, strengthens national registration systems.
• The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, officially increases the number of Supreme Court judges.
• Legislation pertaining to tribunal reforms and cooperative-sector financing also received parliamentary approval.
• A bill proposing the renaming of Kerala to Keralam was also successfully passed.

Foreign Contribution Bill Awaits Review

In contrast to the bills passed, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, did not secure passage during this session. Instead, it has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. This deferral mandates a detailed review by the committee before the bill can be reconsidered by Parliament for potential enactment.