Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026
| Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parliament of India | |
| |
| Citation | Act No. 10 of 2026 |
| Territorial extent | India |
| Passed by | Lok Sabha |
| Passed | 29 July 2026 |
| Passed by | Rajya Sabha |
| Passed | 30 July 2026 |
| Assented to by | President Droupadi Murmu |
| Assented to | 31 July 2026 |
| Commenced | 31 July 2026 |
| Legislative history | |
| Initiating chamber: Lok Sabha | |
| Bill title | Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 |
| Bill citation | Bill No. 139 of 2026 |
| Introduced by | Jitendra Singh, MoS for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions |
| Introduced | 27 July 2026 |
| Passed | 29 July 2026 |
| Voting summary |
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| Revising chamber: Rajya Sabha | |
| Passed | 30 July 2026 |
| Voting summary |
|
| Final stages | |
| Finally passed both chambers | 30 July 2026 |
| Amends | |
| Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 | |
| Status: In force | |
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026, widely known as the Anti-Paper Leak Act, 2026, is a proposed Indian legislative bill aimed at curbing organised cheating, paper leaks, and systemic fraud in public and competitive examinations.[1] Introduced in the Lok Sabha on 27 July 2026, by Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, the legislation seeks to amend the existing Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 by instituting significantly harsher prison sentences, massive financial fines, and expedited judicial processes.[2]
The introduction of the bill followed intense nationwide protests led by students and activists—including a prominent hunger strike by education reformist Sonam Wangchuk—over the NEET paper leak controversy, which culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.[3][4]
Background
The original Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was enacted to establish legal frameworks against cheating and malpractices in major examinations conducted by central bodies such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), and the National Testing Agency (NTA).[5] However, the summer of 2026 saw massive protests across India following widespread allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET-UG exams.
The protests were spearheaded by medical aspirants and student organisations, notably the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), demanding accountability and systemic reforms. Activist Sonam Wangchuk held a high-profile hunger strike, which he ended only after receiving assurances from the Central Government that strict legislative measures would be immediately adopted.[6] During this political crisis, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation.[3] In response to the unrest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised stringent action against paper leak syndicates, leading to the Union Cabinet clearing the new amendment bill on 24 July 2026.[7]
Key Provisions
The proposed 2026 amendments focus heavily on deterring organised crime syndicates and ensuring the rapid delivery of justice through time-bound proceedings.[2]
Enhanced Penalties for Individuals
Under the 2024 Act, individuals convicted of examination fraud faced imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of ₹10 lakh. The 2026 Bill proposes:
- Minimum imprisonment increased from 3 to 5 years, with a maximum of up to 10 years.[2]
- Maximum fines increased five-fold, from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
Strictures on Service Providers
The bill heavily targets private agencies, tech firms, and institutions contracted to conduct exams, print papers, or manage logistics:
- Financial penalties for complicit service providers are raised from a maximum of ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore.[1]
- The debarment period preventing a convicted agency from participating in future public examinations is doubled from 4 to 8 years.
- If the management or directors of a company are found complicit, they face a minimum of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to ₹5 crore.
Organised Syndicates
For established crime rings and organised networks executing paper leaks, the bill mandates a minimum of 7 years in prison and raises the minimum fine from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore.[7] This provision is intended to financially cripple large-scale paper leak operations by making the financial risk unfeasible.
Fast-Track Investigations and Trials
To avoid prolonged litigation, the amendment introduces strict statutory timelines:
- Investigations by police, central agencies, or a newly empowered Central Special Task Force must be completed within two months.[7]
- State governments and Union Territories, in consultation with their respective High Courts, must designate Special Fast Track Courts dedicated exclusively to hearing cases under the Act.
- These special courts are mandated to conduct day-to-day proceedings and conclude trials within three months of the chargesheet being filed.[1]
Legislative History
The Union Cabinet formally approved the bill on 24 July 2026, following the Prime Minister's public commitment to bring tougher measures without delay.[7] Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the urgency of the legislation in addressing student grievances.
On 27 July 2026, during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh officially tabled the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.[1] The introduction occurred amid heavy protests by Opposition MPs over the NEET paper leak row and alleged police brutality during the 20 July Jantar Mantar protests, leading to severe disruptions and adjournments in both houses.[8]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 Sharma, Nidhi (27 July 2026). "Centre tables Anti-Paper Leak Amendment Bill 2026 in Lok Sabha amid protests". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Up to 10 years in jail, ₹50 lakh fine: What is in the new Anti-Paper Leak Bill?". The Indian Express. 25 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Dharmendra Pradhan steps down as Education Minister amid NEET row, assumes moral responsibility". NDTV. 18 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- ↑ "Govt introduces anti-paper leak Bill in Lok Sabha amid Opposition protests". The Economic Times. 2026-07-27. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ "The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024" (PDF). egazette.gov.in. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- ↑ "Sonam Wangchuk ends fast after Centre promises strict anti-leak law in Monsoon Session". Hindustan Times. 15 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Union Cabinet clears strict Anti-Paper Leak amendment bill; introduces fast-track courts". The Times of India. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
- ↑ "Parliament Monsoon Session Live Updates: Both houses adjourned as Opposition demands debate on NEET, Anti-Paper Leak Bill". Mint. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026.