Agencies | New Delhi:
The Union Government is set to introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on Monday, aiming to strengthen the legal framework against paper leaks and other examination malpractices.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh will seek the House’s permission to introduce the Bill and move that it be taken up for consideration and passage.
The proposed legislation seeks to make the existing anti-cheating law more stringent by prescribing tougher punishments for organised exam fraud and paper leaks. It also aims to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the conduct of national public examinations through enhanced penalties, faster investigations and time-bound trials.
The amendment builds on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was enacted to curb unfair practices in major public examinations conducted by agencies such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), National Testing Agency (NTA) and Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs).
Key Provisions of the Bill
Under the proposed amendments, the minimum prison sentence for offences under the Act will increase from three years to five years, while the maximum punishment will be doubled from five years to ten years. The maximum fine will also rise sharply from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
The Bill introduces stricter penalties for service providers found complicit in examination malpractices. Such entities may face fines of up to ₹5 crore and be barred from conducting public examinations for eight years, compared with the current four-year debarment.
Directors and senior officials of these service providers who are found guilty of involvement in exam-related offences could face a minimum of five years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹5 crore.
Cases involving organised examination fraud will attract even harsher penalties, including a minimum prison term of seven years and a minimum fine of ₹10 crore.
To expedite the investigation process, the proposed law empowers the Central Government to constitute a Special Task Force (STF) alongside referring cases to a Central Investigating Agency. It also mandates that investigations under the Act be completed within two months.
The proposed amendments come amid continuing concerns over paper leaks and cheating in competitive examinations across the country. If passed by Parliament, the legislation is expected to strengthen deterrence against organised examination fraud and enhance the credibility and integrity of public examinations.
