What is the Public Examinations Amendment Bill? Govt proposes sweeping changes to anti-cheating law

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill proposes time-bound investigations to be completed within two months.

The Bill empowers the Central Government to constitute a Special Task Force (STF) for investigations and also allows state governments to designate Courts of Session as special fast track courts.

Trials in special fast track courts must be conducted day-to-day and completed within three months of filing the chargesheet.

For individuals, minimum imprisonment is raised from three to five years, maximum from five to ten years, and maximum fine from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

Service providers found guilty face a maximum fine increase from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore and can be barred from conducting public examinations.