Centre proposes Bill to strengthen anti-cheating law in bid to curb exam malpractices

Published 25 July 2026 · india

In a move to strengthen the anti-cheating law, the Union Government has proposed The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, a copy

In a move to strengthen the anti-cheating law, the Union Government has proposed The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, a copy of which was circulated among members of Parliament on Saturday (July 25, 2026). The Centre is likely to introduce the bill in the Parliament on Monday (July 27, 2026). Jantar Mantar protest updates on July 25, 2026 The proposed legislation significantly toughens the penalties established under the 2024 Act, introduces mandatory two-month investigation deadlines, along with designated Special Fast Track Courts, and steep financial penalties reaching up to ₹10 crore for organised crime networks. Maximum imprisonment sentences for individual and institutional offenders have been increased, alongside a steep hike in financial penalties, according to the proposed bill. Specialized Enforcement Units enable the Central Government to constitute dedicated Special Task Forces (STF) to take exclusive charge of investigation efforts.

All investigations — whether conducted by local police, Central Investigating Agencies, or an STF — must be concluded within 60 days. State Governments and UT Administrations will designate Sessions Courts to conduct trials on a continuous, day-to-day basis. Trials must wrap up within three months of the chargesheet being filed. High Court appeals will be heard by a Division Bench (two judges) and must also be resolved within a three-month period. The 2026 Amendment Bill significantly escalates the cost of committing or facilitating exam malpractices: Under Section 10(1) (General Offenses) - Imprisonment or 3 to 5 years jail and fine up to ₹10 lakh in the anti cheating law has been proposed to be escalated to 5 to 10 years jail with a fine up to ₹50 lakh. Under Section 10(2) (Service Provider Fines) of the proposed bill, fine up to ₹1 crore has been hiked to fine up to ₹5 crore Under Section 10(2) (Service Provider Directors/Management)- Imprisonment of 3 to 10 years jail and fine of ₹1 crore has been escalated to 3 to 10 years jail and fine of ₹5 crore.

Under Section 10(3) (In-Charge Personnel)- Imprisonment of 3 to 10 years jail; fine of ₹1 crore has been hiked to 5 to 10 years jail and a fine of ₹5 crore. Under Section 11(1) (Organized Crime)- A minimum of 5 years jail and a fine up to ₹1 crore has been escalated to a minimum of 7 years jail and fine up to ₹10 crore. To address prolonged legal delays, the Bill introduces Sections 12A and 12B, establishing an uninterrupted procedural pipeline. Courts cannot grant adjournments beyond the following day without writing explicit, exceptional reasons. All ongoing cases under the 2024 Act will immediately transfer to the newly designated Special Fast Track Courts and must be completed within three months of transfer. States and Union Territories are mandated to appoint Special Public Prosecutors under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 to handle these trials exclusively.