Explained: What changes after India's tougher anti-paper leak law comes into force
India has enacted a new, stricter anti-paper leak law to combat organized examination fraud following widespread protests over the NEET-2026 exam. The legislation introduces mandatory time-bound investigations and significantly harsher prison sentences and fines for offenders.
Why it matters
The law addresses systemic issues in India's public examination system, which is critical for millions of students seeking educational and career advancement.
NEW DELHI: The Centre's tougher anti-paper leak law has officially come into force from Saturday after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, paving the way for stricter punishment, time-bound investigations and fast-track trials in public examination fraud cases.The amended law, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament earlier this week, is aimed at cracking down on paper leaks and organised examination fraud following nationwide protests over the NEET-2026 paper leak.The legislation strengthens the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was enacted after a series of examination paper leak controversies but is now being expanded with tougher provisions.What changes from today?With the law now in force, several key changes will take immediate effect:Time-bound investigation and trialOne of the biggest changes is that investigations into paper leak cases must now be completed within two months.After a chargesheet…
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