Everything that happened in Anti-Paper Leak Bill Amendments

The Indian government proposes the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill to strengthen anti-paper leak laws.

Minimum jail term for individuals and service provider officials involved in paper leaks is increased to three years; for organised crime, minimum imprisonment is proposed at seven years.

Any person using unfair means faces imprisonment of at least five years (up to 10 years) and a fine up to Rs 50 lakh.

Service providers found guilty face fines up to Rs 5 crore (five-fold increase) and an eight-year debarment from conducting public examinations.

Investigations must be completed within two months, with day-to-day trials and provisions for Special Fast Track courts and a Central Investigation Agency or Special Task Force.

The Centre plans to amend the law to increase jail terms for paper leaks.

Monetary penalties for paper leaks will also be increased under the proposed amendments.

Sources indicate the amendments are likely to be introduced soon.

The Union Cabinet approved a draft bill amending The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, proposing up to 10 years' jail and ₹10 crore fine for paper leaks.

The draft bill, mentioned by PM Narendra Modi in a video on Thursday night, will be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

It proposes a minimum punishment of five years' imprisonment for individuals involved in paper leaks.

The government plans to provide statutory backing for special fast track courts to dispose of cases within three months.

Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju warned against obstructing the bill, stating it is for students' future.