India's Parliament Winter Session 2025: Key Bills and Opposition Challenges Ahead

The Winter Session will commence on December 1 and continue until December 19. (File)

New Delhi:

The Parliament's Winter session beginning Monday will witness the government advancing its reforms agenda with legislation to open the civil nuclear sector to private entities, while opposition parties plan to raise concerns regarding electoral roll revisions across 12 states and Union territories.

This three-week parliamentary session follows the BJP-led NDA's decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, which is expected to embolden the government to pursue its reform initiatives with renewed vigor after the Monsoon session's virtual standstill.

'The Atomic Energy Bill, 2025', a crucial legislation aimed at governing atomic energy use and regulation in India, along with the Higher Education Commission of India Bill and eight additional draft legislations comprise the agenda for the upcoming session scheduled for 15 sittings.

READ: Key Bills, SIR, Vande Mataram: What's On Table During Winter Session

The government has already retreated from its plans to introduce legislation that would empower the president to directly make regulations for Chandigarh Union Territory, following strong opposition from across the political spectrum.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has scheduled a meeting with political party floor leaders on Sunday to ensure smooth coordination during the parliamentary session.

Opposition parties are preparing to challenge the government on the Special Intensive Revision of rolls (SIR) issue while also addressing concerns about air pollution in the national capital.

Among the government's planned bills, the Higher Education Commission of India Bill aims to establish a Commission facilitating universities and higher educational institutions to become self-governing and independent, while promoting excellence through transparent accreditation and autonomy systems.

The National Highways (Amendment) Bill, also slated for introduction, seeks to implement faster and more transparent land acquisition processes for national highway projects.

Another proposed legislation, the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, intends to modify the Companies Act, 2013 and LLP Act, 2008, to enhance ease of doing business.

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The government's agenda also includes the Securities Markets Code Bill (SMC), 2025, which proposes consolidating provisions from the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, Depositories Act, 1996, and Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, into a unified Securities Markets Code.

Changes to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act are also being planned by the government.

Law Ministry officials indicated that a proposed amendment to section 34 of the law and a Supreme Court observation regarding company directors have prompted the government to refer the issue to a committee, with the proposed amendment arising from this process.

Two bills from the previous session are also listed for consideration and approval. According to the bulletin, the first supplementary Budget for the year is also on the agenda.

The session is scheduled to conclude on December 19.