Income Tax Act 2025: Lucknow Hosts Mega Launch to Usher in a New Era of Simplified Taxation

By Prem Kumar Sat, 25 Apr 2026

Lucknow, April 2026: In a significant move toward modernizing India’s fiscal landscape, a mega awareness campaign for the Income Tax Act, 2025 was officially launched in Uttar Pradesh (East). Organized at Lucknow, the event followed the successful conclusion of PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat), a nationwide initiative by the Income Tax Department to educate stakeholders on the transition to a simpler tax regime.

From Complexity to Simplicity: A Paradigm Shift

The event was inaugurated by Shri Prasenjit Singh, Hon’ble Member (Legislation), CBDT, alongside Smt. Aparna M. Agarwal, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, UP (East). Addressing a diverse audience of tax practitioners, industry leaders, and taxpayers, Shri Singh emphasized that the new Act represents a shift from "complexity-by-default" to "simplicity-by-design."

The 2025 Act replaces the decades-old 1961 framework with a streamlined structure built on simplicity, clarity, and certainty.

Key Structural Reforms at a Glance

The new legislation has undergone massive rationalization to reduce the compliance burden:

Sections: Slashed from 819 to 536.
Rules: Reduced from 511 to 333.
Forms: Consolidated from 399 to 190.
Legislation: The word count has been nearly halved without altering the core legislative intent, making the law more accessible.

Digital Innovation and Taxpayer Services

The campaign highlighted several tech-driven reforms designed to foster trust-based governance:

FAST-DS 2026: A new mechanism for faster processing and dispute resolution.
Smart Compliance: Introduction of smart forms, auto-filling, and API-based pre-filling to move taxpayers away from manual data entry.
AI Assistance: The launch of "Kar Saathi," an AI-powered chatbot, and the "Madhukar Explains" animated series to simplify complex provisions.
Kar Setu: A digital bridge designed to help stakeholders navigate the transition from the old Act to the new one.

Voices from the Event

Shri Prasenjit Singh noted that "simplicity must be designed," and urged stakeholders to maintain this spirit in the interpretation and implementation of the law. The event saw active participation from bodies such as FICCI, CII, PHDCCI, and various Bar Associations, all of whom provided feedback to ensure a smooth transition.

Upcoming Outreach Schedule in UP (East)

To ensure every taxpayer is informed, the Department has announced a series of physical outreach events across the region:

April 28: Lucknow & Allahabad
April 29: Unnao, Gorakhpur & Varanasi
April 30: Faizabad & Pilibhit
May 5-6: Bareilly & Barabanki
May – June: Specialized sessions on TDS and Exemptions in Varanasi, Lucknow, Allahabad, and Bareilly.