Anti-paper leak Bill 2026: Harsher penalties, fast-track courts proposed
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Union Government introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on July 27, 2026, proposing significantly harsher penalties for paper leaks. The Bill follows student-led agitations over paper leaks that led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Despite a six-hour window for discussion, no debate took place due to Opposition protests.
Background
The Bill seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was enacted to prevent unfair practices in public examinations. The amendment comes in response to recurring paper leak incidents and demands for stricter deterrence.
Key facts
Maximum imprisonment for individuals increased from 5 years to 10 years.
Fine for individual offenders raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
Directors and senior management colluding in paper leaks face up to 5 years in prison (up from 3 years).
For organized offences, maximum jail term increased from 5 years to 7 years, and fine raised from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore.
Special fast-track courts will be established to expedite trials.
Investigations into paper leak incidents must be completed within a strict two-month deadline.
Union Government can refer any paper leak incident to a Central Investigative agency.
The Bill was introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on July 27, 2026.
Prelims pointers
- Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Introduced in Lok Sabha on July 27, 2026
- Amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
- Maximum imprisonment for individuals: 10 years; fine: ₹50 lakh
- Organized offences: up to 7 years imprisonment; fine: ₹10 crore
- Fast-track courts for speedy trials
- Two-month deadline for investigations
- Central Investigative agency can be tasked by Union Government
Mains angles
- GS2 Polity: Discuss the need for legislative measures to ensure transparency and fairness in public examinations.
- GS3 Security: Examine the role of organized groups in exam paper leaks and the adequacy of legal deterrence.
- GS2 Governance: Critically analyze the balance between stringent penalties and due process in the context of student protests.