Important Legislations 2025: Complete Yearly Roundup of Key Central Laws & Reforms

Important legislations in 2025 marked a transformative year for India’s legal and regulatory landscape, with Parliament, Ministries, and regulatory bodies introducing wide-ranging reforms across taxation, data protection, labour, insolvency, financial regulation, and governance. This Yearly Roundup covers crucial legislative updates, including all updates on Income Tax Act, 2025, UMEED Act, 1995, Unified Waqf Rules 2025, Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, Boilers Act, 2025, Digital Lending, 2025, RailOne App, NDPS Rules 2025, SIR 2025.

Top 20 Important Central legislation passed in 2025:

1. A Historic Leap in Labour Reform: India Implements Four Labour Codes from 21 Nov 2025

   On 21-11-2025, the Ministry of Labour & Employment announced the implementation of the Four Labour Codes, marking a historic step in India’s labour governance. The Four Labour Codes will come into effect on 21-11-2025. Together, these codes consolidate 29 existing labour laws, marking the most significant labour reform in independent India.

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2. A New Era in Taxation: Income Tax Act, 2025 Replaces more than 60-Year-Old Law

   On 21-8-2025, the Ministry of Law and Justice notified the Income-tax Act, 2025 to repeal the 6-decade old Income-tax Act, 1961. The new Act consolidates and restructures all the provisions in sequence. The provisions will come into force on 1-4-2026. On 11-8-2025, the Income- tax (No.2) Bill, 2025 was introduced and passed by Lok Sabha without debate and on 12-8-2025 passed by Rajya Sabha. The President assented to the bill on 21/8/2025.

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3. Waqf (Amendment) Bill receives President’s assent; Waqf Act, 1995 will now be known as UMEED Act, 1995

   On 5-4-2025, President gives assent to Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. This Act will now be known as Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.

   The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in Lok Sabha on 3-4-2025 and in Rajya Sabha on 4-4-2025. The proposed to revise several clauses in the existing Waqf Act, 1995 which governs the administration of waqf properties in India.

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4. Waqf property management via Centralised Digital Portal: A look at the Unified Waqf Rules 2025

   On 3-7-2025, the Ministry of Minority Affairs notified the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Rules, 2025 establishing a digital framework for the administration of Waqf properties across India. These Rules streamline governance, ensure transparency, and enable financial and legal accountability through a centralized portal and database. The provisions of these Rules came into effect from 3-7-2025.

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5. Your Complete Guide to Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025

   On 13-11-2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, a crucial step toward safeguarding personal data in the digital age. This marks a decisive move in operationalizing the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act).

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6. Parliament Winter Session 2025 Wrap-Up: Key Laws, Big Reforms, and Bills That Matter

   The Winter Session of Parliament commenced from 1-12-2025 to 19-12-2025, spanning 19 days and 15 sittings, marked by significant legislative activity and debates. The session was notable for commemorating the 150th anniversary of the National Anthem “Vande Mataram”. Extensive discussions were done on electoral reforms, fiscal priorities, and key measures shaping India’s governance and development roadmap.

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7. Govt issues new Boilers Act, 2025 repealing 1923 Act

   On 4-4-2025, the Ministry of Law and Justice issued the Boilers Act, 2025 to provide for the regulation of boilers, safety of life and property of persons from the danger of explosions of steam-boilers and for uniformity in registration and inspection during manufacture, erection and use of boilers in the country. This Act hereby repeals the Boilers Act, 1923.

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8. Govt notifies waste management rules for construction and demolition of any structure

   On 4-4-2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025 to address and resolve the growing concern of construction and demolition waste in India. The provisions will come into force from 1-4-2026.

   These rules are applicable to all activities of construction, demolition, remodeling, renovation and repair of any structure.

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9. RBI Shapes the Future of Digital Lending, 2025

   On 8-5-2025, the Reserve Bank of India issued the Reserve Bank of India (Digital Lending) Directions, 2025 to establish a transparent, fair, and borrower-centric framework for digital lending, ensuring stricter oversight of digital lending platforms. The provisions came into force on 8-5-2025 except for multi-lender arrangements which will come into force on 1-11-2025 and Digital Lending Apps/ Platforms which will come into force on 15-6-2025.

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10. Key Takeaways from BCI’s revised Rules for registration and regulation of foreign lawyers or foreign law firms in India

    On 13-5-2025, the Bar Council of India notified the Bar Council of India Rules for registration and regulation of foreign lawyers or foreign law firms in India, 2022 enabling foreign lawyers and foreign law firms to practice foreign law, diverse international law, and international arbitration matters in India on the principle of reciprocity, in a well-defined, regulated, and controlled manner.

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11. Working Saturdays, Revised Working Hours as SC Notifies Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules, 2025

    On 14-6-2025, the Supreme Court (‘SC’) notified the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules, 2025 to introduce modification to its operational schedule. These amendments aim to extend SC’s working hours to enhance judicial efficiency and optimize court operations. The changes will take effect from 14-07- 2025.

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12. Govt rolls out new Unified Pension Scheme under NPS for Central Govt Employees

    On 18-6-2025, the Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Service introduced ‘Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)’ to extend the pension benefits and retirement gratuity and death gratuity benefits to the employees of Central Government under the National Pension System (NPS).

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13. Mandatory e-KYC for Ration cards every 5 Years; Unused Cards to be disabled: Inside TPDS Amendment Order 2025

    On 22-7-2025, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution notified the Targeted Public Distribution System (‘TPDS’) (Control) Amendment Order, 2025 introducing digital verification reform aimed at enhancing transparency, minimizing misuse, and ensuring that food subsidies are delivered exclusively to genuinely eligible households. This Amendment came into force on 22-7-2025.

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14. New GST Rates effective from 22-9-2025: Major reform to ease consumer burden and simplify tax structure

    On 17-9-2025, the Ministry of Finance notified the new rates of Goods and Services replacing the rates notified in the year 2017 on 28-6-2017 to streamline the tax structure and provide relief to consumers. The new rates will come into effect from 22-9-2025.

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15. GST Council’s 56th Meet introduces Key Slab Reforms and Tribunal Rollout — New GST Rates & FAQs Inside

    On 3-9-2025, the Goods and Services Tax Council (‘GST Council’) held the 56th GST Council meeting chaired by Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, marking a transformative moment in India’s tax landscape. The Council unveiled a multi-sectoral reform agenda aimed at enhancing transparency, simplifying compliance, and promoting ease of doing business, especially for small traders and entrepreneurs. The revised GST rates will come into effect from 22-09-2025. Tobacco product rates will be notified separately due to pending cess issues.

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16. No FASTag? Pay More: Government updates National Highways Fee Rules

    On 3-10-2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2025, introducing transformative changes to India’s toll collection system, reinforcing digital payments and enhancing commuter convenience. These Rules will be effective from 15-11-2025.

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17. SIR 2025: Electoral Roll Revision Guidelines for 12 States and UTs

    The Election Commission of India (‘ECI’) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 States and Union Territories. This step aims to update the electoral rolls, ensuring inclusion of eligible citizens and removal of ineligible entries.

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18. Significant Reforms in NDPS Rules 2025: Key Changes in Import and Export Procedures

    On 10-12-2025, the Ministry of Finance notified the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (‘NDPS’) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 to introduces significant procedural reforms to the import and export of narcotic drugs. These provisions came into effect on 10-12-2025.

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19. RBI’s Comprehensive Framework of 244 Directions: Strengthening Governance, Compliance, and Financial Stability

    On 28-11-2025, the Reserve Bank of India (‘RBI’) issued Directions and Notifications. The Directions are 244 and 3 guidelines covering a wide spectrum of regulatory and operational aspects for the financial sector. These span credit card facilities, credit resource management, prudential norms, governance standards, Cash Reserve Ratio (‘CRR’), Statutory Liquidity Ratio (‘SLR’), interest rate regulations, asset liability management, income recognition, asset classification, and treatment of wilful defaulters.

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20. Railways unveil RailOne App: Revolutionizing passenger experience with seamless connectivity

    On 1-7-2025, the Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, launched a comprehensive and all-in-one RailOne app to improve passenger interface with railways. The launch reaffirms Bhartiya Rail’s commitment to democratizing technology and delivering world-class mobility to every passenger.

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Monthly Snapshot of Important Legislations 2025

1. February- Read More about IFSCA (Bullion Market) Regulation, 2025, IFSCA (Fund Management) Regulations, 2025, Directions relating to Forward Contracts in Government Securities, SEBI introducing the concept of Artificial Intelligence.

2. March- Read More about CCI (Manner of Recovery of Monetary Penalty) Regulations, 2025, SEBI revising ICDR Regulations introducing the concept of Specific Investors, SEBI collaborating with DigiLocker to reduce unclaimed assets.

3. April- Read More about Electronic filing of appeals vide GSTAT (Procedure) Rules, 2025, Works of Defence Rules, 2025, Compounding of specific offences under Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

4. May- Read More about Centre appointing SG Tushar Mehta led Prosecution team in 26/11 Trial, Securities Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2025, FCR Amendment Rules, 2025, BCI’s revised Rules for registration and regulation of foreign lawyers or foreign law firms in India.

5. June- Read More about New FASTag Annual Pass announced, Omnibus Technical Regulation, 2025, BCI warning to Law Schools, Margin Pledging Rules, Guidelines for PAC meetings.

6. July- Read More about Green Investments, Verification operation to curb fraudulent ITR filing, Updates on ticket pricing, CCTV cameras in Passenger Trains, Motor Vehicle Aggregators Guidelines 2025.

7. August- Read More about National Sports Governance Act, 2025, National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025, Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025.

8. September- Read More about Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, Boiler Accident Inquiry Rules, 2025, Companies (CAA) Amendment Rules, 2025, Central GST Third Amendment Rules, 2025, UPS allowing onetime Switch Facility.

9. October- Read More about Cabinet approving 3% Increase in DA and DR, Banking Companies (Nomination) Rules, 2025, Customs (Voluntary Revision of Entries Post Clearance) Regulations, 2025, GST (Fourth Amendment) Rules 2025.

10. November- Read More about GST (Fourth Amendment) Rules 2025, Capital Gains Accounts Scheme Going Digital, Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2025, NHRC Service Rules 2025, Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025.

11. December- Read More about Health Security & National Security Cess Act, 2025, Reforms in NDPS Rules 2025, NHRC Service Rules 2025, Companies (Specification of Definition Details) Amendment Rules, 2025, Legal Metrology Sixth Amendment Rules 2025.

As 2025 draws to a close, these important legislations 2025 reflect the government’s continued focus on reform, digitisation, transparency, and ease of compliance across sectors. From landmark statutory overhauls to significant regulatory directions and policy initiatives, this roundup serves as a ready reference for legal professionals, policymakers, businesses, and students to stay informed and prepared for the evolving legal framework in the year ahead.