Bill to amend anti-paper leak law passed in Lok Sabha after nationwide protests

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to amend the anti-paper leak law through a voice vote.

The bill will now be moved to the Rajya Sabha. If cleared by the Upper House of Parliament, it will be sent for presidential assent.

The 2026 Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Amendment Bill was introduced by Union minister Jitendra Singh on Monday, days after nationwide protests against alleged irregularities in the conduct of competitive examinations.

The legislation proposes imprisonment of five to ten years for individuals found using unfair means in public examinations. The maximum fine for such persons would increase from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Singh said that the government took swift action in the 2026 National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test paper leak case. He added that 52 first information reports had been lodged since the 2024 Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Act came into force.

The bill was passed amid slogans by the Opposition MPs, demanding “justice” for the students who took part in the march to Parliament on July 20. Dozens were injured as the police used lathis, fired tear gas shells and pellet guns against the demonstrators.

The House was adjourned for the day following the passage of the bill.

Pralhad Joshi, the newly appointed education minister, described the passage of the...

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