Centre Moves to Tighten Law Against Exam Malpractices, Introduces Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, July 27 (TNT): The Centre on Monday introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, proposing stricter penalties, faster investigations and speedy trials to tackle question paper leaks and organised examination-related malpractices.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, introduced the Bill in the House.
The proposed amendments seek to strengthen the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 by introducing provisions for fast-tracked investigations, Special Fast Track Courts, appointment of Special Public Prosecutors, time-bound appeals and enhanced penal provisions.
The government said the amendments were necessitated by incidents of question paper leaks and organised examination-related offences reported in recent years, with the aim of ensuring accountability, improving deterrence and safeguarding the integrity of public examinations.
Under the proposed changes, individuals involved in unfair means will face imprisonment of not less than five years, extendable up to ten years, compared to the existing punishment of three to five years. The maximum fine has also been proposed to be increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
For service providers found involved in offences under the Act, the maximum penalty will be increased from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore, while the period of debarment from conducting public examinations will be extended from four years to eight years.
The Bill proposes similar enhanced punishment for managerial personnel of service providers, with imprisonment of five to ten years and an increase in the maximum fine from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore.
To deal with organised examination crimes, the proposed amendment seeks to increase the minimum imprisonment from five years to seven years, extendable up to ten years, while raising the maximum fine from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore.
The Bill also empowers the Central Government to transfer investigations of offences under the Act to a Special Task Force constituted for the purpose.
For ensuring speedy disposal of cases, the proposed Section 12A provides for completion of investigation within two months, designation of Sessions Courts as Special Fast Track Courts, completion of trial within three months from filing of the charge sheet, and appointment of Special Public Prosecutors.
The proposed Section 12B provides that appeals against judgments, orders or sentences passed by Special Fast Track Courts may be filed before the High Court within 30 days and should, as far as possible, be disposed of within three months.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, enacted on February 12, 2024 and effective from June 21, 2024, provides a national legal framework to prevent unfair practices in examinations conducted by bodies including UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, IBPS, NTA, Central Government ministries and departments, and other notified authorities.
All offences under the Act are cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable, with provisions for imprisonment, fines and attachment of property.
The government said the proposed amendments would strengthen the examination system by ensuring swift action against question paper leaks, impersonation and organised cheating, while protecting the interests of meritorious candidates and enhancing public confidence in the transparency and fairness of public examinations.
TNT TS
