The Winter Session of Parliament concluded on December 19, 2025, after 15 sittings marked by intense debates between the ruling and opposition parties. Despite disagreements, both houses successfully passed eight bills.
Several key pieces of legislation were at the forefront. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 (SHANTI Bill), allows private sector participation in the nuclear energy sector. The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, increases the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in Indian insurance companies from 74% to 100%. The government hopes this will attract long-term foreign capital, facilitate technology transfer, and increase insurance coverage.
The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): Viksit Bharat – G RAM G Bill 2025, also known as the VB-G RAM-G Bill, aims to replace MGNREGA. This bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, increased from the current 100 days, for adult members willing to do unskilled manual labor. The opposition strongly protested this bill, concerned it would weaken employment guarantees. Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the bill, stating it aims to reduce corruption and increase transparency.
The financial agenda was also prominent during the Winter Session. The two houses passed the Appropriation (No. 4) Bill, 2025, the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, revises excise duties on tobacco products after the GST compensation cess expired. The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to consolidate existing GST rates into two primary slabs: 5% and 18% in Manipur. The Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, imposes a cess on pan masala and tobacco products.
The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025, was also passed, repealing 71 laws and amending four to streamline governance and improve business.
Two bills, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, and the Securities Markets Code (SMC) Bill, 2025, have been sent to committees for further review. The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, aims to centralize higher education under a single board. The Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025, seeks to consolidate financial laws related to the securities market into a single framework.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called the Winter Session productive and said the passed bills would improve lives and help India become a developed nation. The session also included discussions on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and electoral reforms. Lok Sabha's productivity was around 111%, and Rajya Sabha's was 121%.
