Centre proposes tougher anti-paper leak law in Parliament
The Union government on Monday introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, proposing stricter punishments for examination fraud, tougher action against service providers and faster investigations into paper leak cases.
The Bill, introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, seeks to strengthen the 2024 law aimed at curbing organised cheating in public examinations.
Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were later disrupted by Opposition protests over the alleged police action during the July 20 march to Parliament led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), following which the House was adjourned until 2 p.m.
The proposed amendments significantly enhance penalties for those found guilty of examination fraud. The minimum prison sentence would increase from three years to five years, while the maximum punishment would rise to 10 years. The maximum fine would also increase from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
Private agencies involved in conducting examinations, printing question papers, logistics or technology support could face fines of up to ₹5 crore instead of the current ₹1 crore. Their debarment period from participating in public examinations would also increase from four years to eight years.
The legislation also proposes stricter punishment for company directors and senior officials found responsible for organised examination malpractice. In such cases, the minimum prison term would be five years and the fine could extend to ₹5 crore.
For organised examination fraud involving institutions, authorities or service providers, the minimum jail term would increase to seven years, while the minimum fine would rise to ₹10 crore.
To speed up investigations, the Bill requires police, central agencies or any Special Task Force constituted by the Centre to complete probes within two months.
It also proposes the establishment of Special Fast Track Courts in every state and Union Territory, in consultation with the respective High Courts. These courts would conduct day-to-day hearings and aim to complete trials within three months after chargesheets are filed. Pending cases under the Act would also be transferred to these designated courts.