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The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the extension of the term of the 22nd Law Commission of India until August 31st, 2024. The tenure of the current 22nd Law Commission of India is scheduled to end on February 20th, 2023. The various Law Commissions have made important contributions towards the progressive development and codification of the laws of the country. To date, the Law Commission has submitted 277 reports.

The Chairperson and Members of the 22nd Law Commission have recently taken office and have taken up several pending projects for examination and report, which are works in progress. The Commission will consist of: a full-time Chairperson; four full-time Members (including the Member-Secretary); the Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, as an ex-officio Member; the Secretary, Legislative Department, as an ex-officio Member; and no more than five part-time Members.

During its extended term, the Law Commission will continue to discharge its existing responsibilities, as bestowed upon it by the order dated February 21st, 2020. These responsibilities include:

• Identifying laws that are no longer relevant and recommending the repeal of obsolete and unnecessary enactments.
• Suggesting the enactment of new legislation as may be necessary to implement the Directive Principles and to attain the objectives set out in the Preamble of the Constitution.
• Considering and conveying to the Government its views on any subject relating to law and judicial administration that may be specifically referred to by the Government through the Ministry of Law & Justice (Department of Legal Affairs).
• Considering requests for providing research to any foreign countries as may be referred to it by the Government through the Ministry of Law & Justice (Department of Legal Affairs).
• Preparing and submitting to the Central Government, from time to time, reports on all issues, matters, studies, and research undertaken by it and recommending such reports for effective measures to be taken by the Union or any State.
• Performing such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Central Government from time to time.