Gujarat Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026: Regulatory reforms to boost business and the MSME sector
The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed the Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, amending 12 provisions across five state acts. The Bill provides for 24×7 operations for eligible shops, a self-declaration system for new businesses, and a risk-based fire safety framework. Expanding the MSME facilitation mechanism, the Bill incorporates additional laws related to electricity, industrial estates, cooperative societies, and irrigation. A system for automatic appeals in cases of delays in public services will promote time-bound service delivery, accountability, and good governance.
The Gujarat Legislative Assembly has passed the Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026. Its objective is to make business activities in the state simpler, faster, and more efficient. The Bill amends 12 provisions across five state acts, emphasizing the reduction of compliance burdens, the simplification of approval processes, and the promotion of technology-driven administration in government services.
24×7 Business Operations and Self-Declaration System
Eligible shops and commercial establishments meeting specified conditions may be permitted to operate 24×7. This aims to enhance flexibility in business activities and boost employment opportunities. Additionally, a self-declaration system has been promoted for the registration of new businesses to reduce the time required for initial verification and approval.
Risk-Based Fire Safety Regulation
The Bill amends provisions related to the Gujarat Fire Prevention Act, aiming to align fire safety compliance with a risk-based approach. The core objective is to apply stricter safety standards to high-risk establishments while reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens on low-risk businesses. This exemplifies regulatory efficiency and risk-based governance.
Expansion of the MSME Facilitation Framework
The Bill strengthens the MSME Facilitation Framework by bringing eight additional state acts—covering areas such as electricity supply, GIDC industrial estates, cooperative societies, and irrigation—under its ambit. The objective is to provide enhanced institutional support to MSME units in resolving issues related to various government procedures and regulatory requirements. This move is significant for boosting MSME competitiveness and the ease of compliance.
Automatic Appeal for Delays in Public Services
The Bill introduces a provision for automatic appeals within the framework of the Gujarat Right to Public Services Act. If a government department fails to dispose of an application or grievance within the stipulated timeframe, the matter can be automatically escalated to a higher authority for appeal. This reduces the need for citizens to file repeated appeals and fosters timely service delivery, accountability, and good governance.
Expedited Registration for Doctors from Other States
Amendments to provisions concerning the Medical Council have simplified the registration process in Gujarat for qualified doctors already registered in other Indian states. Expedited registration based on self-declaration can enhance the mobility of human resources in the healthcare sector. From a UPSC perspective, this provision can be linked to broader governance themes such as cooperative federalism, the ease of professional mobility, regulatory simplification, and public service delivery.
