- The Government is set to introduce an anti-paper leak bill in the Lok Sabha, which proposes increasing the punishment for paper leak offences from three to five years imprisonment to five to ten years, while enhancing the maximum fine from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
- The Union Cabinet cleared the Bill a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced tougher measures in response to ongoing student-led protests over the NEET-UG paper leak.
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 5 pm, minutes after it reconvened at 2 pm, giving a three-hour window for consensus on the paper leak Bill.
- Kiren Rijiju urged the Opposition to allow a discussion on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, stating it addresses student concerns over paper leaks.
- The proposed law provides for stringent, time-bound punishment for those involved in examination malpractices.
The Indian government is set to introduce a significant amendment to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, in Lok Sabha.1
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh presented the bill during the monsoon session, aiming to address the rising concerns over examination malpractices, particularly in light of recent student protests regarding the NEET-UG paper leak.2
The proposed legislation seeks to increase the punishment for paper leak offences from the current three to five years' imprisonment to a more stringent five to ten years. Additionally, the maximum fine will be raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the importance of this bill, stating it provides for stringent, time-bound punishment for those involved in examination malpractices. He urged the opposition to facilitate discussions on the bill, which aims to restore integrity in the examination process.56
The bill was cleared by the Union Cabinet shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced tougher measures in response to the ongoing protests, highlighting the government's commitment to addressing student concerns and ensuring accountability in public examinations.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has given a three-hour window for discussions on the bill, indicating the urgency and importance of the matter at hand.
“The Union Cabinet cleared the bill following Prime Minister Modi's announcement of tougher measures in response to student protests over the NEET-UG paper leak. Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the proposed law includes stringent, time-bound punishments for those involved in examination malpractices.”
