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Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 introduced in Rajya Sabha

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity

PolityGovernanceSecurityLaw and Order

Why in news

The Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Rajya Sabha on 30 July 2026. The Bill seeks to strengthen the legal framework against exam malpractices and protect students' interests.

Background

The original Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was enacted in February 2024 and came into force with rules notified in June 2024. It covered major recruitment agencies like UPSC, SSC, RRB, IBPS, and NTA. The 2026 Amendment Bill is a natural extension based on recent experiences and feedback.

Key facts

in5points

  1. The Amendment Bill proposes to increase imprisonment for unfair means from 3-5 years to 5-10 years.

  2. Maximum fine for individuals is proposed to increase from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

  3. For service providers, maximum fine is proposed to increase from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore, and debarment from conducting exams from 4 years to 8 years.

  4. For directors/senior managers of service providers, imprisonment proposed from 5-10 years (up from 3-10 years) and fine up to Rs 5 crore (up from Rs 1 crore).

  5. For organized crime, imprisonment proposed from 7-10 years (up from 5-10 years) and fine up to Rs 10 crore (up from Rs 1 crore).

  6. The Bill provides for special fast-track courts to try offences under the Act.

  7. Investigation to be completed within 2 months and trial within 3 months of filing charge sheet.

  8. Provision for appointment of special public prosecutors and constitution of Special Task Force (STF) where needed.

  9. The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha before being introduced in Rajya Sabha.

Prelims pointers

  • Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
  • Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026
  • Fast-track courts
  • Special Public Prosecutor
  • Special Task Force (STF)
  • UPSC, SSC, RRB, IBPS, NTA
  • Dr. Jitendra Singh
  • Rajya Sabha
  • Lok Sabha

Mains angles

  • GS2 Polity: Parliamentary process – introduction and passage of amendment bills.
  • GS2 Governance: Measures to ensure transparency and merit in public examinations.
  • GS3 Security: Legal framework to prevent organized crimes like paper leaks.
  • GS2 Law and Order: Role of fast-track courts in speedy justice.
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