ArdorComm Media News Network
July 29, 2026
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday took up the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 for consideration and passage, aiming to further tighten the legal framework against examination malpractices and paper leaks.
The proposed legislation amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 by introducing stricter penalties for offenders. Under the Bill, those found guilty could face imprisonment of up to 10 years, fines of up to ₹10 crore, and confiscation of their properties. It also mandates every state and Union Territory to establish Special Fast Track Courts for day-to-day hearings to ensure swift justice.
The Bill further requires investigations into offences to be completed within two months from the registration of a police case, while trials must conclude within three months of filing the chargesheet.
Introducing the Bill, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh said the amendment reflects the government’s commitment to protecting students and preserving the integrity of public examinations. He stated that the strengthened legal framework aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve to safeguard the future of the country’s youth. Singh described the legislation as a landmark reform, adding that previous governments lacked a comprehensive law to effectively address paper leak cases.
He said recent incidents of examination malpractice highlighted the need for stronger legal provisions, prompting the government to introduce the amendment to restore public confidence in the examination system.
During the debate, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticised the government, alleging that the amendment falls short of meaningful education reforms and serves only as a cosmetic change to the existing law.
Backing the Bill, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj called it a significant step towards ensuring transparent and fair examinations. She said organised examination mafias now operate across multiple states, making stronger legal measures essential. Swaraj also highlighted provisions for the creation of a Special Task Force to investigate paper leak cases and the establishment of Special Fast Track Courts for speedy trials.
Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav expressed concerns over recurring paper leaks and questioned the government’s outsourcing practices at the National Testing Agency (NTA), citing the alleged NEET-UG paper leak despite the enactment of the 2024 law.
Supporting the legislation, AITC MP Abhishek Banerjee said every student deserves a fair examination process and emphasised that stringent laws are necessary to curb paper leaks and maintain the credibility of competitive examinations.
Source: News on AIR