India's Lok Sabha passes anti-paper leak bill amid student protest fallout
The amendment increases penalties for exam fraud, while Rahul Gandhi says the anti-paper leak amendment bill was like "a band aid but we need surgery".
India's Lok Sabha today (29 July) passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote, introducing stricter penalties to tackle examination malpractices and paper leaks.
The bill was introduced by Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh on 27 July, following a 36-day student agitation led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) that resulted in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Speaking during the debate, Singh said the government had taken swift action in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak case, with 52 first information reports (FIRs) filed since the original anti-paper leak law came into effect in 2024.
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Education Minister Prahlad Joshi, who replaced Pradhan, said the amendment would create a stronger legal framework to combat examination fraud.
"With stricter penalties, fast-track courts, enhanced investigation mechanisms and stringent action against exam fraud, the bill aims to dismantle the paper leak ecosystem and increase transparency, credibility and fairness in the examination process," Joshi said.
The bill was passed amid continued criticism from opposition parties over the government's handling of examination irregularities.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the amendment, describing it as only a temporary fix.
Speaking at a press conference outside parliament, he said the anti-paper leak amendment bill was like "a band aid but we need surgery", adding that students wanted a complete revamp of the examination system.
Singh said the amendment reflected the government's willingness to incorporate suggestions and strengthen the legal framework to address organised examination-related crimes.
The original Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was introduced to prevent unfair practices in examinations conducted by major recruitment and education bodies, including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Under the amended law, offences remain cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. The punishment for individuals involved in unfair means has been increased from three-five years of imprisonment to five-10 years, while the maximum fine has been raised from Rs10 lakh to Rs50 lakh.
