Lok Sabha Clears Anti-Paper Leak Bill: 10-Year Jail, Rs 10 Crore Fine For Accused | Key Details

Published 29 July 2026 · politics

Lok Sabha Clears Anti-Paper Leak Bill: 10-Year Jail, Rs 10 Crore Fine For Accused | Key Details Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 17:39

Lok Sabha Clears Anti-Paper Leak Bill: 10-Year Jail, Rs 10 Crore Fine For Accused | Key Details Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 17:39 IST The legislation was introduced in the House on July 27 by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, days after nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. Rapid Read The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 is the Centre's latest attempt to restore trust in India's examination system Anti-Paper Leak Bill: Amid much uproar, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, a legislation aimed at making India’s anti-paper leak law more stringent by introducing faster investigations, dedicated courts and harsher penalties for offenders. The Bill was passed by a voice vote amid opposition sloganeering and a walkout over Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the debate. The amendment comes in the backdrop of nationwide outrage over examination irregularities, mainly the NEET-UG paper leak row, which sparked protests and renewed demands for tougher action against organised cheating rackets. The legislation was introduced in the House on July 27 by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, days after nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak controversy culminated in the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister. The government had tabled the amendment bill on Monday.

Weeks of protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over repeated paper leaks and irregularities in competitive examinations had put the Narendra Modi government under intense pressure, with demonstrators demanding accountability, systemic reforms and action against those responsible for compromising the future of lakhs of aspirants. Why Was The Bill Amended? The government enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 to criminalise paper leaks and other unfair practices in public examinations. However, recurring controversies involving recruitment and entrance examinations — including the NEET paper leak — prompted the Centre to revisit the law. As per the Centre, the 2026 amendment seeks to plug gaps identified during the implementation of the 2024 Act, strengthen enforcement and ensure quicker action against those involved in examination fraud. While moving the Bill, Singh said that the amendments were being introduced in an “honest spirit" and urged political parties not to politicise an issue that affects millions of students. He further said that 52 FIRs have been registered since the 2024 law came into force and said reported suicides linked to paper leak incidents had declined in recent years. Major Changes In The Bill 1. Fast-track courts for paper leak cases: The Bill proposes dedicated fast-track courts in every state and Union Territory to exclusively hear cases related to paper leaks and examination malpractice. The objective is to ensure that such cases are not delayed in the regular criminal justice system.