New Delhi/Gandhinagar, July 29 — The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, tightening penalties for paper leaks, organised cheating and other examination-related offences in a move aimed at strengthening the integrity of India's public examination system.
The Bill was passed by a voice vote after a debate in the House.
The legislation amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which applies to examinations conducted by authorities, including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), central government ministries and other notified agencies.
The amendments provide for stricter punishments, faster investigations, special fast-track courts, special public prosecutors and time-bound disposal of appeals to curb examination fraud.
According to the Bill, the minimum punishment for individuals using unfair means is proposed to increase from three years to five years, extendable up to 10 years, with the maximum fine rising from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
Penalties for organised examination fraud and institutions involved in such offences have also been substantially enhanced, with higher prison terms and increased financial penalties.
The amendment follows a series of paper leak controversies, including the cancellation and subsequent re-conduct of the NEET-UG examination this year, with the government stating that stronger legal provisions were required to deter organised examination malpractice and ensure speedy prosecution.
Reacting to the passage of the Bill, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on social media platform X that it marked "a significant step towards safeguarding the aspirations of millions of students across India".
"Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is strengthening an examination system where merit, integrity and hard work alone determine success," Chief Minister Patel added.
He said that the legislation "sends a clear message that those who seek to undermine the future of our youth through paper leaks, organised cheating or other unfair practices will face the strictest consequences".
Calling it a landmark reform, Chief Minister Patel said: "It would further reinforce the confidence of every sincere student and contribute to building a transparent, fair and accountable education ecosystem for a Viksit Bharat."
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also welcomed the legislation, describing it as "a powerful affirmation that merit, honesty, and hard work will always be protected".
"By introducing stringent penalties against paper leak mafias, organised cheating syndicates, and all those who attempt to manipulate public examinations, the government has reinforced the integrity of India's examination system," Sanghavi said.
He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "the government has made its resolve unequivocal: the dreams of honest students will never be compromised. Anyone who seeks to undermine the future of India's youth will face swift and stringent action under the law."
Sanghavi said the amendment was "not just an amendment, it is a strong commitment to fairness, transparency, and justice for every deserving student".
He also criticised the Congress and other opposition parties, alleging that they disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha while the legislation aimed at protecting students' future was being passed.
The Bill was debated amid political exchanges in Parliament before being approved by the Lok Sabha, with the government maintaining that the strengthened legal framework would help preserve the credibility and transparency of public examinations across the country.