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The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, through a voice vote after two days of intense and often acrimonious debate.
The legislation amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, introducing stricter legal provisions to curb paper leaks and examination malpractice.
The NDA and its allies backed the Bill. The Opposition questioned whether the amendments would prevent recurring paper leaks and examination failures.
The revised law seeks to strengthen transparency, accountability, and fairness while safeguarding students’ interests.
The amended law provides for up to 10 years’ imprisonment, fines of up to Rs 10 crore, and confiscation of offenders’ assets. It also aims to ensure judgments within three months.
The Bill follows the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest in New Delhi on July 20 against the NEET paper leak and examination irregularities.
Students demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, who stepped down on July 25.
During the debate, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi praised the students’ peaceful protest and urged every political party to respect their democratic expression.
The debate turned confrontational after Rahul Gandhi accused the RSS of influencing education and alleged excessive police action against protesters. He also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded evidence or an apology.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said magistrates, not Ministers, authorise such actions. He said the government incorporated stakeholder suggestions before strengthening penalties.
Service providers can now face fines of up to Rs 5 crore.
Directors, senior officials, and organised examination rackets can face up to 10 years’ imprisonment, with fines reaching Rs. 10 crore.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav joined the debate.
BJP MPs Anurag Thakur and Tejasvi Surya, along with NCP MP Supriya Sule, also participated.
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