Public Exams (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill

On 27th July 2026, the Central Government introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha to strengthen the legal framework against examination paper leaks and malpractices.

Key Points

Stricter Penalties: The proposed amendments provide for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to ₹10 crore for organised examination paper leaks and related offences.
Fast-Track Courts: The Bill proposes the establishment of dedicated fast-track courts to exclusively hear cases related to paper leaks and examination fraud.
Time-Bound Disposal: It provides a mechanism for disposal of paper leak and examination fraud cases within three months to ensure speedy justice.
Objective: The legislation aims to deter organised examination fraud, protect the interests of genuine candidates and enhance the credibility of public examinations.
Background: The Bill follows the Union Cabinet's approval of the proposed amendments and complements the government's broader examination reforms, including the constitution of a high-powered task force on examination reforms.