The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote, strengthening the country's anti-paper leak law with tougher punishments, higher fines, and stricter measures against organised examination fraud. The Bill amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The legislation was passed after a heated debate between the government and the Opposition. Proceedings were also marked by protests over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegation that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was responsible for the police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
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Defending the Bill, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the amendments demonstrate the government's commitment to protecting the integrity, transparency, and credibility of public examinations. He said the Centre had acted swiftly in the NEET-UG paper leak case and introduced the amendments after reviewing the implementation of the 2024 law.
Singh told the House that the government is willing to strengthen the legal framework based on past experience to prevent examination malpractice. He said the revised law aims to tackle organised paper leak networks, improve investigation, and safeguard the interests of genuine candidates appearing in public examinations.
The amended law significantly increases penalties for examination-related offences. Individuals convicted of examination fraud will now face a minimum imprisonment of five years, up from the earlier three years. The maximum monetary penalty has also been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. The legislation also provides for stricter action against organised cheating syndicates and institutions involved in facilitating paper leaks.
The government said the amendments are intended to improve accountability among examination authorities, strengthen digital security for question papers, and ensure faster investigation and prosecution of offences related to recruitment and entrance examinations.
Citing official data, Jitendra Singh informed the Lok Sabha that 52 FIRs have been registered since the anti-paper leak law came into force in 2024. He also said the number of suicides linked to paper leak incidents has declined in recent years, describing it as an encouraging sign that the existing law has begun producing positive results.
The amendment comes amid continuing concerns over the credibility of public examinations following the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, which triggered nationwide protests and renewed demands for stronger legal safeguards against examination fraud.
Following the passage of the Bill by voice vote, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day. The legislation will now move to the next stage of the parliamentary process before becoming law.
