During the winter session of Parliament in New Delhi on 16 December 2025, the Lok Sabha proceedings are underway. Photo: Sansad TV via ANI
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday (December 16, 2025) passed a bill to repeal or amend 71 obsolete and obsolete laws, including the Indian Succession Act.
The proposed legislation was aimed at removing outdated laws, correcting errors that crept in during the law-making process and removing discriminatory aspects of some laws, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said in response to a brief discussion on the Repeal and Amendment Bill, 2025.
Winter Session of Parliament: Watch highlights from 16 December 2025
He said that progressive legislation will contribute to making life easier for citizens.
The bill was approved by voice vote.
Under India’s Succession Act 1925, Mr. Meghwal said, if a Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain or Parsi makes a will, it has to be examined, while a similar provision does not apply to any other community.
The Repeal and Amendment Act 2025 seeks to repeal 71 Acts, including the Indian Tramways Act, 1886, the Levy Sugar Price Equalization Fund Act, 1976 and the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (Determination of Conditions of Service of Employees) Act, 1988.
It also seeks to amend four laws, including the General Clauses Act 1897, the Civil Procedure Code 1908 to update the terminology for registered mail, and the Indian Succession Act 1925 to remove the requirement for court confirmation of wills in certain cases.
The bill also amends the Disaster Management Act 2005 to correct a drafting error.
“These reforms are a step towards freedom from the colonial mindset. Such laws which bore the imprint of colonialism ….. are being repealed during the tenure of Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi,” the minister said.
Published – 16 Dec 2025 21:24 IST
