Govt proposes stricter anti-paper leak law with harsher penalties
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Centre has proposed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, to tighten laws against paper leaks. The Bill introduces longer jail terms, higher fines, and mandates time-bound investigation and trial. This comes amid widespread student protests over exam irregularities.
Background
The original Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was enacted to curb malpractices in public exams. However, persistent paper leak incidents and demands for stricter action prompted the government to propose amendments.
Key facts
Minimum jail term for individuals involved in paper leaks increased to 3 years; for organised crime, minimum 7 years.
Any person using unfair means faces 5-10 years imprisonment and fine up to Rs 50 lakh.
Service providers guilty of offences face fine up to Rs 5 crore (5 times earlier) and 8-year debarment from conducting exams.
Directors or senior management of service providers involved in offences face minimum 5 years, extendable to 10 years.
For organised crime, minimum jail term raised to 8 years (from 5) and maximum fine increased to Rs 10 crore.
Government may constitute a Central Investigation Agency or Special Task Force (STF) for speedy probe.
Investigations must be completed within 2 months; trials to be day-to-day with special fast-track courts.
The Bill amends Section 11 of the 2024 Act dealing with organised crime.
Prelims pointers
- Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Original Act: Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
- Minimum jail for organised crime: 8 years
- Maximum fine for service providers: Rs 5 crore
- Debarment period for service providers: 8 years
- Investigation completion timeline: 2 months
- Special Fast Track Courts for trial
- Central Investigation Agency or STF proposed
Mains angles
- GS2 Polity: Analyze the need for stricter anti-paper leak laws and their impact on governance and public trust.
- GS3 Security: Discuss the role of organised crime in exam malpractices and effectiveness of legal deterrence.
- GS2 Education: Examine how such laws affect the integrity of public examinations and student rights.