The Union Government on Monday, July 27, 2026) introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha, proposing significantly harsher penalties for exam paper leaks. Union Minister Jitendra Singh tabled the Bill, which seeks to amend the two-year-old Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act.The Bill comes close on the heels of a student-led agitation over paper leaks, which led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The government’s stated aim, according to the Bill’s text, is to deter persons, organised groups and institutions from indulging in unfair means that affect the sanctity of public examinations.However, despite Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla offering a six-hour window for discussion on the Bill, no debate took place on Monday. The House adjourned for the day amid Opposition protests demanding a government statement on the use of police force against protestors in Delhi during a Parliament march on July 20.
What the Bill proposes
The amendment substantially raises punishment for those convicted under the Act.
- Maximum imprisonment for individuals has been increased from five years to ten years.
- The fine for individual offenders has been raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
- Directors, senior management personnel and officials found to have colluded in a paper leak now face up to five years in prison, up from three years.
- For organised offences, the maximum jail term has been increased from five years to seven years, and the fine has been raised from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore.
Special Task Force and investigation timeline
The Bill allows the Union Government to refer any paper leak incident to a Central Investigative agency. It also retains the government’s autonomy to constitute a separate task force to investigate such offences. To ensure timely action, the Bill sets a two-month deadline for completing investigations.
Special Fast Track Courts
The amendment proposes setting up Special Fast Track Courts across states and Union Territories to speed up verdicts. These courts are required to hold hearings daily and complete trials within three months of the charge sheet being filed.To support speedy prosecution, the Bill asks state and Union governments to appoint one or more special public prosecutors. It also proposes an appellate mechanism under which two High Court judges would hear appeals against Fast Track Court judgments. Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the judgment and disposed of within three months from the date of admission. The Bill states that delays beyond 90 days will only be allowed if the High Court is satisfied with the reason provided.
Amendments and adjournment
Speaker Om Birla noted that 91 amendments have been moved to the Bill and stressed the need for a unified approach to reform the country’s competitive examination system. Discussion on the Bill, however, was pushed to a later date after the House adjourned over the Opposition’s protest.Opposition parties also demonstrated outside Parliament on Monday against the use of force on protestors during the July 20 march, and said they would continue to demand accountability from the Union Home Minister over the incident.
