Lok Sabha passes anti-paper leak bill amid row over Rahul Gandhi's remarks
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, making punishments for paper leaks more stringent and trials speedier. The bill was passed amid a row over Rahul Gandhi's remarks accusing the home minister of ordering firing on students. This legislation aims to deter unfair means in public examinations and expedite justice.
Background
The original Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act was enacted in 2024 after widespread paper leak controversies. Before that, there was no specific substantive law to deal with unfair means in central government examinations. The 2026 amendment seeks to strengthen the law further.
Key facts
Lok Sabha passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 via voice vote.
The bill makes punishment for paper leaks more stringent and trials speedier.
Investigations into paper leak cases must be completed within two months.
Individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means will face significant jail terms and hefty fines.
Minister Jitendra Singh said 52 FIRs have been lodged since the anti-paper leak law came into force in 2024.
The bill was passed amid a row over Rahul Gandhi's remarks accusing the home minister of ordering firing on students.
The 2024 law was the first specific substantive law to address unfair means in central government examinations.
The bill applies to public examinations conducted by the central government and its agencies.
Prelims pointers
- Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
- Lok Sabha
- Voice vote
- Jitendra Singh (Minister for Personnel)
- Rahul Gandhi
- NEET paper leak case
- FIRs (52 since 2024 law)
Mains angles
- Discuss the need for stringent anti-paper leak laws in India and their impact on the integrity of public examinations.
- Critically examine the provisions of the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in ensuring speedy justice.
- Analyze the political controversy surrounding the bill and its implications for parliamentary debate.