Cabinet Approves Bill to Strengthen Anti-Paper Leak Law

• 25 Jul 2026

On 24th July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a draft bill to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, proposing stricter penalties to curb organised examination paper leaks.

Key Points

• About the Bill: The draft bill seeks to strengthen the existing anti-paper leak law by introducing harsher punishments for individuals and organised groups involved in examination malpractices.
• Enhanced Penalties: The bill proposes a minimum imprisonment of 5 years for those involved in paper leaks and up to 10 years' imprisonment along with a maximum fine of ₹10 crore for organised paper leak rackets.
• Objective: The amendment aims to deter organised gangs and institutions engaged in examination fraud while protecting genuine candidates.
• Coverage: The law applies to recruitment examinations such as UPSC, SSC, RRB and IBPS, as well as entrance examinations including NEET, JEE and CUET.
• Background: The amendment follows concerns over recurring examination paper leaks and seeks to strengthen the legal framework against organised cheating.
• NTA Reforms: The government has also initiated reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) to improve transparency and integrity in conducting public examinations.