Anti-Paper Leak Bill Approved by Union Cabinet

The Union Cabinet approved a new anti-paper leak bill on 24 July 2026. The bill is scheduled for introduction in Parliament on Monday, during the second week of the Monsoon session. The proposed law is linked to measures against paper leaks in public examinations, including cases related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test.

Public Examinations and Unfair Means

Public examinations in India include recruitment tests, entrance examinations, and other tests conducted by public authorities. Paper leaks, impersonation, and unauthorised access to question papers are treated as forms of unfair means in examination law. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, was enacted to address such offences in public examinations.

Legislative Process in Parliament

A bill becomes law after passage by both Houses of Parliament and assent by the President of India. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha examine the text, move amendments, and vote on the final version. A Cabinet-approved bill is usually placed before Parliament for introduction, discussion, and further legislative scrutiny.

Examination Security Measures

Fast-track courts have been set up for cases related to paper leaks. In previous incidents, persons found guilty were arrested and jailed, and a retest was conducted for 22 lakh students. Examination security measures in India also include question paper encryption, sealed transport, biometric verification, and monitoring at examination centres.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 5 February 2024.
• The Act became effective on 21 June 2024.
• The 2024 law provides for penalties of up to Rs. 1 crore and imprisonment for unfair means in public examinations.
• The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is one of the major examinations linked to recent concerns over paper leaks.

Previous Legal Framework

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, is the main existing central law on examination fraud. The new bill is expected to add stricter provisions or amend the earlier framework before introduction in Parliament. The Monsoon session of Parliament is one of the three regular sessions of the Indian Parliament in a calendar year.