New Delhi: The Union Government is set to introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Monday, aiming to significantly tighten legal frameworks, increase penalties, and mandate strict time-bound trials for examination fraud. Passed by the Union Cabinet on Friday, the proposed legislation seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, amid widespread public concern and ongoing student protests across the country regarding examination integrity and paper leaks.
Under the provisions of the amendment bill, individual offenders involved in paper leaks or examination malpractices will face a minimum prison term of five years, extending up to ten years, along with fines reaching up to 50 lakh rupees. For syndicates and organized examination crimes, the bill proposes enhanced punishments, including a minimum sentence of seven years in prison and financial penalties of up to 10 crore rupees. Additionally, service providers and private agencies hired for examination management face increased fines of up to five crore rupees and blacklisting from public recruitment processes for up to eight years.
To ensure swift justice, the legislation mandates that all police or special task force investigations into paper leak cases must be completed within a strict two-month timeframe. Furthermore, all state governments and Union Territory administrations will be directed to set up designated Special Fast Track Courts in consultation with concerned High Courts. These specialized courts will conduct hearings on a day-to-day basis and are required to conclude trials within three months from the date of chargesheet filing, with appeals handled directly by a Division Bench of the High Court.
