The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing stricter penalties against paper leaks and examination fraud. The legislation aims to strengthen the integrity of competitive examinations through tougher punishments for offenders and organised cheating networks.
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, through a voice vote, marking a significant step towards strengthening the legal framework against examination paper leaks and organised cheating in public recruitment and competitive examinations.
The amendment, introduced by Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh on July 27, seeks to impose stricter punishments on individuals and organised groups involved in paper leaks and examination-related fraud. The legislation is aimed at safeguarding the credibility, transparency and fairness of public examinations conducted across the country.
Speaking during the debate in the House, Jitendra Singh said the Union Government had acted promptly in previous examination paper leak cases, including the NEET controversy, demonstrating its commitment to protecting the interests of students and maintaining the integrity of the examination system. He informed Parliament that since the anti-paper leak law came into force in 2024, authorities have registered 52 FIRs under its provisions, reflecting active enforcement of the legislation.
The Minister criticised Opposition members for disrupting parliamentary proceedings and alleged that the issue of paper leaks was being politicised instead of focusing on practical solutions to strengthen the examination system. He also defended the government’s handling of protests related to examination irregularities, stating that authorities exercised maximum restraint while ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order.
Opposition members, however, continued to raise concerns regarding student welfare, police action during protests, and accountability in the conduct of public examinations. They called for greater transparency and stronger administrative measures to prevent future examination irregularities.
Under the amended law, individuals found guilty of leaking question papers or using unfair means in public examinations may face imprisonment ranging from five to ten years, along with a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh. The legislation also introduces tougher provisions for organised paper leak syndicates and large-scale examination fraud. Such offences will attract a minimum prison sentence of seven years, which may extend further under applicable provisions, along with financial penalties of up to Rs 10 crore.
The amended legislation is intended to create a stronger deterrent against criminal networks that compromise competitive examinations conducted by major recruiting agencies, including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), railway recruitment bodies, banking recruitment agencies and the National Testing Agency (NTA).
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With the passage of the Bill in the Lok Sabha, the government has reinforced its commitment to ensuring fair and transparent recruitment examinations. The stricter legal provisions are expected to enhance public confidence in the examination process while discouraging organised cheating networks from attempting to manipulate the country’s competitive examination system.
