On July 29, the Lok Sabha passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes stricter punishment for those involved in unfair means in public examinations. The bill, passed on Wednesday, aims to deter individuals, groups, and institutions from indulging in such activities. The new legislation amends a 2024 law and introduces several key features, including the empowerment of state governments and Union Territory administrations to designate special fast-track courts to try offences under the proposed law.
The bill provides for day-to-day proceedings in these special courts, with trials to be completed within three months of filing the charge sheet. It also enables the central government to constitute a special task force for investigating offences and requires investigations to be completed within two months. Additionally, state governments and UT administrations can appoint special public prosecutors to handle cases under the legislation.
Under the new law, individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means can face jail terms of five to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 50 lakh. Organised crimes can attract minimum sentences of seven years and fines of up to Rs 10 crore. The law applies to public examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, railways, banking recruitment examinations, and the National Testing Agency, among others.
The 2024 law was introduced in response to paper leak controversies during the BJP-led government. The new legislation provides a specific substantive law to deal with unfair means in public examinations, ensuring the sanctity of these exams.
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📰 Source: Siasat Gulf