Lok Sabha Debates Anti-Paper Leak Bill as Opposition and Government Clash Over Its Efficacy

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday witnessed a heated debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Opposition accusing the government of admitting failure by amending a law passed just two years ago.

Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi questioned the necessity of the amendments, describing the Bill as a “cosmetic exercise” that reflected the failure of the 2024 law enacted after the NEET-UG controversy. He argued that harsher punishments alone would not address systemic issues in the education sector. Gogoi also raised concerns about the use of pellet guns and electric batons against student protesters, calling the students’ actions a result of “deep pain and anxiety” over their future.

He further questioned the government’s handling of a committee report headed by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan, and sought details on the 47 officials the government claimed to have removed or transferred from the National Testing Agency (NTA). “Who are these 47 people, when the sanctioned strength of the NTA is 34?” Gogoi asked. He also questioned the government’s confidence in the NTA chairman, insinuating political bias.

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav condemned the police action against student protesters, stating that the government could pressure some MPs to pass the Delimitation Bill but could not address student concerns. She read out names of students who allegedly died by suicide over the NEET paper leak.

In response, BJP MPs defended the Bill. Anurag Thakur criticized Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for sitting on a dharna outside the Prime Minister’s residence, claiming students did not ask him to lead the protests. Thakur also cited Prime Minister Modi’s popularity among youth, pointing to his Instagram video on the issue garnering over 400 million views.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj accused the Opposition of “selective outrage,” noting that paper leaks occurred under the previous UPA government as well. She called the amendment “transformative,” stating it would strengthen the legal framework through faster prosecution, stricter punishment, and measures to combat organized examination mafias. Shiv Sena MP Shrikanth Shinde alleged that the Opposition was politicizing the issue while the Modi government was taking decisive action.

The debate highlighted deep divisions between the ruling party and the Opposition over the effectiveness of the government’s measures to prevent paper leaks and protect the integrity of public examinations.