Lok Sabha Passes Anti-Paper Leak Amendment Bill with Tougher Penalties
New law provides for up to 10 years in jail and a ₹50 lakh fine to curb examination fraud
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing stricter penalties to combat paper leaks and examination-related malpractice. The Bill was passed amid heated exchanges and sloganeering by Opposition members during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The amendment strengthens the existing anti-paper leak law by prescribing up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh for those found guilty of involvement in examination fraud.
The legislation was introduced in the House on July 27 by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, days after large-scale student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy led to the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
During the debate, Jitendra Singh said the government had acted promptly in the NEET paper leak case and highlighted that 52 FIRs had been registered since the anti-paper leak law came into effect in 2024. He said the amendment reflects the government's willingness to strengthen the law based on experience and added that cases of suicides linked to paper leaks had declined in recent years.
The discussion also witnessed sharp political exchanges. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of authorising police firing on student protesters during the alleged crackdown. BJP members strongly objected to the remarks, demanding evidence and an apology. Later, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla ordered the contentious remarks to be expunged from the official parliamentary record.
Following the passage of the Bill, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day.
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