India Introduces Harsher Penalties to Combat Examination Paper Leaks

The Government of India introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on July 28 to combat nationwide paper leaks and examination fraud. Moved by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, the legislation strengthens a 2024 law by increasing maximum prison terms to 10 years and raising fines up to ₹10 crore. It also mandates the creation of fast-track courts to deliver verdicts within three months and requires investigations to be completed within two months.

The bill follows the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after widespread protests over the NEET-UG paper leak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated the government "stands with the students," while Minister Singh described the bill as milestone legislation to protect the academic future of the youth.

Opposition parties in the INDIA bloc, including the Indian National Congress, conditioned their participation in the debate on government assurances regarding police brutality during July 20 protests. Members of Parliament, including Gaurav Gogoi and Sagarika Ghose, alleged that security forces used pellet guns and electric batons against students. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut further claimed the largest paper leak racket operates within the Bharatiya Janata Party.

To resolve the deadlock, Speaker Om Birla and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju coordinated a debate extension to 10 hours. While BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj defended the bill as a sign of responsible governance, the opposition argued the need for new laws is proof of the government's failure to prevent irregularities.