Govt to Amend Anti-Cheating Law: Increase Jail Term, Fast-Track Courts for Paper Leaks
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The central government is planning to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 to increase the maximum jail term from 10 years and introduce fast-track courts for paper leak cases. This follows PM Modi's announcement and ongoing protests over the NEET paper leak.
Background
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was enacted to curb paper leaks, cheating, and organized malpractices in public examinations like UPSC, SSC, and NTA tests. It currently provides for up to 10 years imprisonment and a Rs 1 crore fine.
Key facts
The government plans to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 to increase the jail term for offenders beyond the current 10-year maximum.
The amendment will also provide for fast-track courts to handle paper leak cases.
The proposed bill is expected to be taken up by the Cabinet on July 24, 2026.
PM Modi announced the move on July 23, 2026, stating that the Cabinet will discuss the bill and it will be moved in Parliament on July 28, 2026.
The government has been working on addressing concerns related to medical entrance exam paper leaks over the last two and a half months.
The government conducted exams for 22 lakh students and declared results to ensure students did not lose a year.
The education secretary was replaced amid ongoing protests against the NEET paper leak.
The PMO has been engaged with the education ministry over the NEET exam, retest, and the K Radhakrishnan committee on NTA reforms.
Prelims pointers
- Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
- UPSC, SSC, NTA
- Fast-track courts
- NEET paper leak
- K Radhakrishnan committee on NTA reforms
- July 24, 2026: Cabinet meeting date
- July 28, 2026: Bill to be moved in Parliament
Mains angles
- GS2: Government policies and interventions for transparency and accountability in public examinations.
- GS2: Role of fast-track courts in ensuring speedy justice and deterrence.
- GS3: Issues of corruption and malpractices in examination systems and their impact on meritocracy.
- GS2: Parliamentary procedures and amendment of laws.