Anti-paper leak law tightened
The new law mandates fast-track trials, stricter investigations and harsher penalties
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved a Bill to amend the anti-paper leak law with stricter punishments. The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the House by Union minister Jitendra Singh on July 27, days after large-scale student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign as the education minister.
Speaking in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Singh said the Government acted swiftly in the NEET paper leak case, and as many as 52 FIRs have been lodged since the anti-paper leak law came into force in 2024.
Soon after the passage of Bill, Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah, posted on X, “Congratulations to every student in India on the passage of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Lok Sabha today. The bill shields the dreams and aspirations of our youth by laying down iron-clad provisions imposing the harshest punishment on those who dare to breach the sanctity of public examinations.”
The Bill provides for the paper leak cases to be tried in special fast-track courts on a daily basis and requires the trial to be completed within three months from the date of filing of the chargesheet. It also empowers the Union Government to constitute a special task force for investigation of any offence and provides for the probe to be completed within two months.
Under the new law, individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means during examinations will get jail terms for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years, and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh. For organised crimes, the bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore.
Expressing disappointment over sloganeering by the Opposition parties during the passage of the Bill, the Union minister Singh said, “Instead of debating it seriously and offering suggestions, attempts are being made to politicise it. I am surprised by the behaviour of the Leader of Opposition...” Immediately after the passage of the bill, Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day.
