The Central government is gearing up to present the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in Parliament on Monday. This move is part of its efforts to reinforce the legal framework against paper leaks and exam malpractices. The NDA is planning to have young MPs spearhead the discussions on the Bill, with an anticipated debate lasting between eight to ten hours.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh will be responsible for tabling the Bill, which aims to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The proposed amendment seeks to bolster transparency and integrity in the examination system by introducing stricter legal provisions. It also includes penalties such as imprisonment for up to 10 years, fines up to Rs 10 crore, asset confiscation of the guilty, and a mechanism for swift verdicts within three months.
Following the Union Cabinet’s approval, a Bill and related provisions have been endorsed to establish fast-track courts and impose harsher penalties for cases involving paper leaks and exam fraud. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently announced the forthcoming introduction of a comprehensive Bill with stringent actions against paper leaks in Parliament. The fast-track courts are expected to expedite trials and deliver judgments within three months, ensuring prompt justice for exam-related offenses.
Prime Minister Modi has announced the formation of a task force on exam reforms under Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. This decision comes after the recent student protests against paper leaks, which led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The task force’s report will guide future steps to uphold the credibility of upcoming examinations, as emphasized by Prime Minister Modi in a video statement.
