Bill proposing harsher punishment for paper leaks taken up for discussion; milestone legislation, says government
The Indian government has introduced the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, to impose stricter penalties for paper leaks. The legislation includes up to 10 years of imprisonment and the establishment of fast-track courts to expedite justice.
Why it matters
This bill represents a significant legislative response to widespread student unrest and concerns regarding the integrity of national competitive examinations.
The government on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) described the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 as a “milestone” legislation in the history of Parliament and said it was a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to safeguarding the students and youth of the country.
The Bill seeks to strengthen the anti-paper leak law with stricter punishment of up to 10-year imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh. It comes days after nationwide student protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, which led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Union Education Minister.
The proposed legislation was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a midnight Instagram post last week, in a bid to quell the students’ protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
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