Parliament passes law introducing up to 5 years' jail for digital fraud in public exams
Up to 2 years' jail for examiners who deliberately inflate or cut marks,
Highlights:
- Up to 5 years' jail for digital exam fraud
- Organised cheating made a specific criminal offence
- Examiners face 2 years' jail for deliberate misgrading
- Whistleblower protection introduced
Parliament today (7 July) passed the Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Act, 2026, introducing stricter penalties for digital exam fraud, organised cheating and other technology-enabled offences, with a maximum punishment of five years' imprisonment and fines.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon placed the bill during the second session of the 13th National Parliament, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. It was passed by voice vote.
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The amendment updates the Public Examinations (Offences) Act, 1980, which was enacted to curb question paper leaks, cheating, forged certificates and other examination-related irregularities.
Under the new law, unauthorised access to examination databases, hacking, tampering with or deleting examination data, and other forms of digital fraud will carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison along with fines.
The law also creates a new offence for organised examination fraud. Individuals or groups that enter into written or verbal agreements to help candidates cheat, or offer such assistance, will face up to five years' imprisonment and fines. Attempting to organise such activities will also be punishable.
It further criminalises entering or attempting to enter examination centres with prohibited electronic devices without authorisation, as well as deliberately violating official examination instructions. These offences also carry a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment and fines.
The amended law also introduces penalties for examiners who intentionally award higher or lower marks than warranted. Offenders may face up to two years' imprisonment, fines or both. However, before any punishment is imposed, a third examiner must confirm the marking discrepancy.
The legislation establishes accountability for institutions and service providers involved in examination-related activities. Organisations found to have facilitated or colluded in examination offences may face fines, suspension of licences, operational restrictions or blacklisting.
In addition, the law introduces whistleblower protection, ensuring confidentiality, legal immunity and protection from retaliation for individuals who provide credible information about examination-related offences. Violating these protections is punishable by up to six months' imprisonment, a fine or both.
The amended law also stipulates that children accused of examination-related offences will be dealt with under the Children Act, 2013, rather than the regular criminal justice system.
To expedite legal proceedings, all offences under the amended law have been made cognisable. Cases will be tried by metropolitan magistrates in metropolitan areas and senior judicial magistrates elsewhere through summary trial procedures. The government has also been empowered to frame detailed rules through gazette notifications to implement the law.
