Anti-Paper Leak Bill with Stricter Punishment Introduced in Lok Sabha

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 27 July 2026. The Bill seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which came into force on 21 June 2024.

Public Examinations Law in India

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 is a central law that deals with unfair means in public examinations. It applies to offences such as paper leaks, impersonation, tampering with question papers, and other examination-related malpractices.

Proposed Punishments and Penalties

The Amendment Bill proposes imprisonment of five to ten years for persons involved in paper leaks and other unfair means. It also proposes a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh for individual offenders. For organised crimes linked to paper leaks, the Bill proposes a minimum imprisonment of seven years. It also proposes a fine of up to Rs 10 crore for organised offences.

Investigation and Trial Provisions

The Bill mandates completion of investigations in paper leak cases within two months. It also allows states and Union Territories to set up fast-track courts for trial completion within three months of filing of the chargesheet.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Parliament of India.
• Jitendra Singh is a Union Minister in the Government of India.
• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 came into force on 21 June 2024.
• Paper leak offences are treated as a form of unfair means in public examinations.