Lok Sabha Passes Anti-Paper Leak Bill with Up to 10 Years' Jail and ₹50 Lakh Fine

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing stricter provisions to tackle paper leak cases. The Bill was approved amid sloganeering by Opposition parties and provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh for offences covered under the legislation. The amendment comes just days after former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following large-scale student protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the NEET paper leak issue. Union Minister Jitendra Singh had introduced the amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on July 27, proposing tougher penalties to strengthen the existing anti-paper leak law. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate, Jitendra Singh said the government had acted swiftly in connection with the NEET paper leak case. He informed the House that 52 FIRs have been registered since the Anti-Paper Leak Act came into force in 2024. The minister said the amendment reflects the government's willingness to learn from past experiences and further strengthen the legal framework against examination-related malpractice. He also stated that the number of suicides linked to paper leak incidents has declined over the past few years. During his address, Jitendra Singh also criticized Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he lacked knowledge of parliamentary procedures and the functioning of the government. Soon after the Bill was passed, the proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned for the remainder of the day.