Parliament to Debate Tougher Anti-Paper Leak Bill After Opposition Protests
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, introduced by Union minister Jitendra Singh, will be debated in Parliament on Tuesday after Opposition protests halted its passage twice. The bill aims to hike fines and punishment for exam paper leaks, and promises speedy trials via fast-track courts. The debate follows days of protests over police violence during student agitations on July 20.
Background
The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha amid Opposition protests seeking accountability from Union home minister Amit Shah over alleged police excesses and use of pellet guns during student protests against paper leaks on July 20. The protests led to the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday. Speaker Om Birla engaged with floor leaders, leading to a consensus for a six-hour debate on Tuesday, with 93 amendments submitted by the Opposition.
Key facts
Union minister Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha.
The bill aims for stricter punishment, hikes minimum jail term and quantum of fines, and promises speedy trials via fast-track courts.
Opposition protests halted the Centre's push to pass the bill twice on Monday.
Opposition sought accountability from Union home minister Amit Shah over police excesses and use of pellet guns during student protests on July 20.
The July 20 protests over paper leaks brought the Capital to a halt and led to the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday.
Speaker Om Birla allotted six hours for the debate on Tuesday.
The Opposition has submitted 93 amendments to the bill.
All major political parties agreed to discuss the bill starting Tuesday after discussions with the speaker.
Prelims pointers
- Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill
- Introduced by Union minister Jitendra Singh
- Lok Sabha debate on July 28, 2026
- Fast-track courts for speedy trials
- Minimum jail term and quantum of fines hiked
- 93 amendments submitted by Opposition
- Speaker Om Birla
- Monsoon session of Parliament
Mains angles
- GS2 Polity: Parliamentary procedures, role of Opposition, and consensus-building in lawmaking
- GS2 Governance: Measures to ensure integrity and transparency in public examinations
- GS3 Security: Legal framework to prevent unfair means and paper leaks in exams
- GS2 Polity: Accountability of Union ministers and police conduct during protests