New Delhi: Following weeks of nationwide Gen Z-led protests over examination paper leaks, the Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing stricter punishments, fast-track trials, time-bound investigations and Special Task Forces.
Coimbatore: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, significantly strengthening India’s anti-paper leak law amid unprecedented nationwide Gen Z-led protests demanding accountability and reforms in the public examination system. The legislation comes in the wake of widespread outrage over the NEET-UG paper leak and sustained student demonstrations across the country.
The youth-led movement, one of the largest student mobilisations in recent years, called for a transparent examination system, stricter action against organised paper leak syndicates and accountability from those responsible. The protests eventually prompted the Centre to announce sweeping examination reforms before introducing the amendment Bill in Parliament.
The amended legislation increases the punishment for individuals involved in unfair means from three to five years’ imprisonment to five to ten years, while raising the maximum fine from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh. For organised examination fraud, the minimum imprisonment has been increased from five years to seven years, with the minimum fine enhanced from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore. Service providers found involved in examination fraud also face substantially higher penalties and longer debarment from conducting public examinations.
The Bill mandates that investigations into paper leak and organised cheating cases be completed within two months and requires States and Union Territories to designate Special Fast Track Courts for speedy trials. It also empowers the Centre to constitute Special Task Forces to investigate examination-related offences and provides for Special Public Prosecutors and time-bound disposal of appeals.
The law continues to apply to examinations conducted by agencies including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), National Testing Agency (NTA), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and other notified Central Government authorities. The government said the amendments are intended to restore the credibility of public examinations and deter organised malpractice.
The youth-led movement, one of the largest student mobilisations in recent years, called for a transparent examination system, stricter action against organised paper leak syndicates and accountability from those responsible. The protests eventually prompted the Centre to announce sweeping examination reforms before introducing the amendment Bill in Parliament.
The amended legislation increases the punishment for individuals involved in unfair means from three to five years’ imprisonment to five to ten years, while raising the maximum fine from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh. For organised examination fraud, the minimum imprisonment has been increased from five years to seven years, with the minimum fine enhanced from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore. Service providers found involved in examination fraud also face substantially higher penalties and longer debarment from conducting public examinations.
The Bill mandates that investigations into paper leak and organised cheating cases be completed within two months and requires States and Union Territories to designate Special Fast Track Courts for speedy trials. It also empowers the Centre to constitute Special Task Forces to investigate examination-related offences and provides for Special Public Prosecutors and time-bound disposal of appeals.
The law continues to apply to examinations conducted by agencies including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), National Testing Agency (NTA), Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and other notified Central Government authorities. The government said the amendments are intended to restore the credibility of public examinations and deter organised malpractice.