Anti-Paper Leak Bill 2026 Clears Parliament Amid Opposition Walkout
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by both Houses of Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha clearing it via voice vote amid an Opposition walkout. This bill aims to curb paper leaks and unfair practices in public examinations, a pressing issue in India.
Background
The original Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act was enacted in 2024 to prevent cheating and paper leaks. The 2026 amendment strengthens provisions in response to recent high-profile exam irregularities.
Key facts
The bill was cleared by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha after being passed by the Lok Sabha.
Opposition parties staged a walkout during the Rajya Sabha vote.
The bill amends the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
It aims to prevent unfair means like paper leaks and cheating in public examinations.
The legislation covers examinations conducted by central government bodies like UPSC, SSC, and others.
Stringent penalties, including imprisonment and fines, are proposed for offenders.
The bill was introduced in response to recent paper leak incidents that disrupted exams.
It seeks to ensure transparency and fairness in the examination process.
Prelims pointers
- Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Passed by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- Amends the 2024 Act
- Covers central public examinations (UPSC, SSC, etc.)
- Voice vote in Rajya Sabha
- Opposition walkout
Mains angles
- GS2: Government policies and interventions for transparency in public examinations
- GS2: Role of Parliament in passing legislation amid political dissent
- GS2: Issues of governance and accountability in public recruitment