Lok Sabha Passes Tougher Anti-Paper Leak Bill with Stricter Penalties and Fast-Track Courts

New Delhi, July 2026 : The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by a voice vote after an intense debate spread over two days. The legislation seeks to strengthen the legal framework against examination malpractices by amending the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, with the objective of safeguarding the integrity of recruitment and competitive examinations across the country.

The amended law introduces significantly tougher provisions to deter paper leaks, organised cheating and other examination-related offences. It provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years, fines of up to ₹10 crore, confiscation of assets of those found guilty, and the establishment of a fast-track judicial mechanism to ensure speedy disposal of such cases.

A key feature of the amendment is the creation of fast-track courts, which will be mandated to conclude trials and deliver verdicts within three months. The government believes this will ensure swift justice, deter organised examination fraud and restore public confidence in the country’s examination system.

The legislation follows the Union Cabinet’s approval of the proposed amendments and comes amid mounting public concern over repeated instances of question paper leaks and irregularities in competitive examinations. The government has maintained that the tougher legal framework is aimed at protecting the future of millions of students while ensuring fairness and transparency in the conduct of public examinations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier announced that the government would introduce a comprehensive law providing stringent punishment for those involved in paper leak rackets and organised examination fraud. The passage of the Bill marks the fulfilment of that commitment.

The issue gained nationwide attention following the large-scale ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest organised in New Delhi on July 20, where hundreds of students demonstrated against the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination irregularities. The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), later turned violent after clashes erupted between demonstrators and security personnel.

Several protesters and police personnel sustained injuries during the confrontation as security forces used force to disperse the crowd. The protests also intensified demands for accountability within the Education Ministry.

Among the key demands raised by the protesters was the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who subsequently stepped down from the post on July 25.

With the Bill now passed by the Lok Sabha, the government hopes the enhanced legal provisions, stricter punishments and time-bound judicial process will help curb organised examination fraud, strengthen the credibility of public examinations and reassure students that merit and fairness will remain at the heart of India’s recruitment and education systems.