The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, paving the way for stricter action against examination paper leaks. The legislation proposes imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to ₹50 lakh for individuals found guilty of paper leak offences.

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The Bill was passed by voice vote after an intense debate in the House and will now be taken up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha.

Tougher punishment for paper leak offences

Introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on July 27, the Bill seeks to strengthen the existing anti-paper leak law enacted in 2024.

Key provisions include:

• Up to 10 years’ imprisonment for paper leak offences.
• Fines of up to ₹50 lakh for convicted individuals.
• Penalties of up to ₹10 crore for organised paper leak syndicates.
• Increased fines of up to ₹5 crore for service providers.
• Enhanced penalties for directors, management personnel and officials responsible for conducting public examinations.

The government said the amendments are aimed at creating a stronger legal framework to deter examination malpractice.

Fast-track courts and quicker investigations

The legislation also proposes structural reforms to speed up the investigation and trial of paper leak cases.

Under the amended law:

• Every state can establish dedicated fast-track courts for paper leak cases.
• Investigations must be completed within two months.
• Trials will be conducted on a priority basis to ensure faster disposal of cases.

The government believes these measures will improve accountability and strengthen the credibility of public examinations.

Heated debate in Lok Sabha

The discussion on the Bill witnessed sharp exchanges between the government and the Opposition over police action during recent student protests linked to the alleged NEET paper leak.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged that excessive force had been used against protesting students and questioned the government’s handling of the demonstrations.

His remarks triggered protests from members of the ruling alliance, who sought evidence to support the allegations. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reminded members that allegations made in the House should be substantiated.

Responding to the criticism, Jitendra Singh rejected the allegations, stating that no bullets were fired during the protests and that tear gas was used for crowd control. He also clarified that any order to open fire could only be issued by a magistrate.

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Government defends amendments

Defending the legislation, Jitendra Singh said the amendments were based on the government’s experience in implementing the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

He said authorities had acted promptly in cases linked to the NEET paper leak and that 52 FIRs had been registered since the law came into effect.

The minister added that stronger penalties were intended to dismantle organised cheating networks and protect the integrity of India’s examination system.

Bill follows nationwide protests

The amendments come after weeks of nationwide protests over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak controversy.

The demonstrations, which lasted for over a month, called for greater transparency in public examinations, reforms to the National Testing Agency (NTA) and accountability for those responsible for repeated paper leak incidents.

The protests concluded after the government accepted several demands, including leadership changes in the Education Ministry, compensation measures for affected families and the withdrawal of cases filed against protesters.

Next step

Following its passage in the Lok Sabha, the Bill will now move to the Rajya Sabha for consideration.

After the legislation was approved by the Lower House, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said the amended law would strengthen efforts to curb examination malpractice and help safeguard the credibility of public examinations across the country.

FAQ

What does the Anti-Paper Leak Bill propose?

The Bill introduces stricter penalties for examination paper leaks, including imprisonment of up to 10 years, higher fines, fast-track courts and time-bound investigations.

What is the maximum punishment under the Bill?

Individuals convicted of paper leak offences can face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to ₹50 lakh, while organised syndicates may face fines of up to ₹10 crore.

Has the Bill become law?

Not yet. The Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha and now awaits consideration and approval in the Rajya Sabha before completing the legislative process.

Why was the Bill introduced?

The amendments were brought after widespread concerns over examination paper leaks, particularly the NEET controversy, and aim to strengthen the legal framework for preventing unfair practices in public examinations.

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The post Lok Sabha Passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill With Up to 10-Year Jail Term first appeared on Rightsofemployees.com.

The post Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns as Education Minister Following Month-Long Student Protests Over NEET Leak first appeared on Rightsofemployees.com.

Demonstrations over national competitive exam irregularities escalated in the national capital as opposition parliamentarians carried their agitation directly to the streets. Lawmakers belonging to the INDIA bloc, spearheaded by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, assembled at Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg to declare support for students affected by the recent NEET paper leak controversy.

Holding copies of the Indian Constitution and the national flag, parliamentarians turned on their mobile flashlights to create a symbolic candlelight vigil during the dusk demonstration. The gathering was organized to honor students who lost their lives to suicide in the aftermath of the test leaks, as well as those who suffered injuries during ongoing street protests.

[ Opposition Strategy Evolution ]
     │
     ├─► Demand resignation of Union Education Minister in Parliament
     │
     ├─► Standoff with law enforcement during attempted march to India Gate
     │
     └─► Symbolic flashlight vigil at Gandhi Smriti honoring affected students

Security Impediments and Rerouted Plans

The symbolic procession followed hours of political strategy discussions at Gandhi’s residence, where lawmakers gathered earlier in the day. As police established heavy barricades along Sunehri Bagh Road, opposition representatives were initially prevented from departing.

According to statements from opposition representatives, an earlier request to gather at India Gate was denied by police authorities. Lawmakers subsequently boarded three chartered buses to reach Gandhi Smriti, less than a kilometer away, despite initial delays imposed by security forces stationed outside the premises.

Commenting on the outreach, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal clarified the purpose of the gathering:

“We came here symbolically to take the pledge that we will stand with students and for the right cause.”

Addressing reporters from inside one of the transport buses, Gandhi emphasized that law enforcement restrictions would not dampen their backing of the student movement, noting that the entire opposition coalition remains committed to championing youth demands across the country.

Escalating Pressure Across the Capital

The demonstration at Gandhi Smriti represents one front in a broader wave of protests gripping the capital. A short distance away at Jantar Mantar, parallel demonstrations organized by student-led movements like the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have drawn crowds demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Simultaneous Protests in New Delhi                   │
├───────────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────┤
│         Gandhi Smriti Vigil       │        Jantar Mantar Protests       │
├───────────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Led by INDIA bloc MPs           │ • Organised by student movements    │
│ • Symbolic flashlight tribute     │ • Demands ministerial resignation   │
│ • Commemorates affected candidates│ • Internet suspended in 1.5-km zone │
└───────────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────┘

In response to rising tensions around central protest venues, administrative authorities instituted localized security measures, including suspending mobile internet connectivity within a 1.5-kilometer radius of Jantar Mantar. Meanwhile, opposition leaders maintain that parliamentary debates cannot move forward until executive accountability is established through high-level resignations.

FAQ

Why did Opposition MPs choose Gandhi Smriti for their protest?

After permission to gather at India Gate was turned down by security personnel, opposition leaders redirected their assembly to nearby Gandhi Smriti to conduct a symbolic vigil commemorating students impacted by the exam controversy.

What are the main demands being raised by the Opposition?

The INDIA bloc is demanding systemic reforms in competitive examination protocols, financial compensation for families of deceased aspirants, and the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

What security measures were put in place during the protests?

Authorities deployed barricades around key leaders’ residences, stationed security personnel along major avenues, and temporarily suspended mobile internet services within a 1.5-km radius of the primary protest hub at Jantar Mantar.

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