Centre Introduces Tougher Anti-Paper Leak Bill
The Centre introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Monday, proposing stricter punishments, faster investigations and dedicated courts to tackle paper leaks and examination malpractice.
Stricter Punishment for Examination Paper Leaks
The Bill seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. It proposes increasing the punishment for individuals using unfair means from three-to-five years to five-to-10 years of imprisonment. The maximum fine would also rise from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
Those involved in organised examination crimes could face a minimum prison term of seven years and a minimum fine of ₹10 crore. Service providers found participating in malpractice may be fined up to ₹5 crore, compared with the existing limit of ₹1 crore.
Eight-Year Ban for Guilty Service Providers
The proposed legislation would double the debarment period for examination service providers involved in unfair practices. Such firms could be prevented from conducting or assisting with public examinations for eight years.
The law covers examinations conducted by authorities including the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Boards, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection and National Testing Agency.
The Centre would also be empowered to constitute a special task force to investigate offences connected with paper leaks and organised examination fraud.
Fast-Track Courts for Paper Leak Cases
Investigations under the amended law would have to be completed within two months. Every state and Union Territory would be required to designate a Court of Session as a Special Fast Track Court.
Trials would be conducted on a day-to-day basis and completed within three months of the chargesheet being filed. Appeals would be heard by a two-judge High Court bench and should, as far as possible, be decided within three months.
