The Union government has introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha to address paper leaks in competitive exams, enhancing the 2024 Act with provisions for faster investigations, dedicated fast-track courts, and more stringent penalties including lengthy jail terms and hefty fines for those involved in unfair practices.

The Union government has introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha to address paper leaks in competitive exams, enhancing the 2024 Act with provisions for faster investigations, dedicated fast-track courts, and more stringent penalties including lengthy jail terms and hefty fines for those involved in unfair practices.

The Union government has introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha to address paper leaks in competitive exams, enhancing the 2024 Act with provisions for faster investigations, dedicated fast-track courts, and more stringent penalties including lengthy jail terms and hefty fines for those involved in unfair practices.

Days after the ouster of former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the students’ protest, the Union government tabled the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh introduced the amendment bill, which is aimed at preventing future paper leaks in competitive exams, in the Lok Sabha. The bill seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

Bill explained

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 aims to enhance transparency in the public examination system by strengthening the legal provisions established under the 2024 Act. Key provisions include:

i) Special Task Force for investigation:  Under the Act, the central government may refer investigation of offences to any central investigating agency. The Bill adds that investigation of offences must be completed within two months.

(ii) Special Fast Track Court: The Bill requires every state and UT to designate a Court of Session as a Special Fast Track Court to try offences under the Act.  The Special Fast Track Courts will also try any connected offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 or other laws, in the same trial.

(iii) Debarment of service providers:  The Act also debars a service provider engaging in unfair means for four years from being assigned any responsibility for the conduct of any public examination.  

(iv) Timeline for trial: The Bill adds that trials must be conducted on  a day-to-day basis.  The Court may adjourn to the following day, if necessary, after recording reasons in writing. Trial must be completed within three months from the date of filing of the chargesheet.  

(v) Appeal:  The Bill adds that appeals against judgments, sentences, or orders of the Special Fast Track Courts will lie before a bench of two Judges of the High Court.  Appeals must be disposed of, as far as possible, within three months from admission.  Appeals against orders granting or refusing bail will also lie before the High Court.  Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the order.  

vi) Penalty includes five or up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 10 crores and confiscation of assets of those convicted.

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