Lok Sabha passes stricter anti-paper leak bill with up to 10 years jail, ₹5 crore fine
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which introduces stricter penalties for paper leaks and other unfair practices in public examinations. The bill was passed amid sloganeering by opposition parties.
The legislation, introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday (July 27, 2026), raises the maximum imprisonment for offences from three to ten years and increases fines from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore for service providers and responsible personnel. The bill comes days after large-scale student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign as Education Minister.
Speaking in the House, Mr. Singh said the government acted swiftly in the NEET paper leak case and that 52 FIRs have been lodged since the anti-paper leak law came into force in 2024. He noted that the amendments reflect the government's willingness to learn from experience and that the rate of deaths related to paper leaks has reduced in recent years.
The bill also proposes imprisonment of five to ten years (up from three to ten years) and a fine of ₹5 crore (increased from ₹1 crore) for personnel in charge of examinations. Mr. Singh criticised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alleging a lack of knowledge of parliamentary norms and government functioning.
Following the passage of the bill, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day.
