This new legislation introduces harsher penalties for those involved in examination fraud
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, after proceedings were disrupted twice following Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s remarks during the debate, which triggered a sharp confrontation between the treasury and opposition benches.Under the amended law, individuals found guilty of using unfair means or leaking question papers will face a minimum imprisonment of five years, extendable to 10 years, along with fines of up to ₹50 lakh, compared with the existing provision of three to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh. Service providers found complicit will face fines of up to ₹5 crore and be barred from conducting examinations for eight years, while directors or senior management found to have connived in such offences can also be imprisoned for five to 10 years.The Bill also prescribes imprisonment of seven to 10 years and fines of up to ₹10 crore for organised examination fraud involving examination authorities, service providers or institutions.Allegation rejectedReplying to the debate, Union Minister Jitendra Singh rejected Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered firing on students protesting over the NEET paper leak issue.Singh said: “Jab goli chali hi nahi, toh aadesh dena ka sawal hi paida nahi hota; aur aadesh dena ka adhikar magistrate ke pass rahta hai, mantri ke pas nahi‘ (when no bullets were fired, the question of authorising it does not arise, and the directive to open fire is given by the magistrate, not a minister).”Earlier, Gandhi accused the government of mishandling the NEET paper leak issue and alleged that students protesting against the examination scandal had faced excessive police action. He launched a broader attack on the education system, alleging that the RSS exercised influence over educational institutions and curricula.Gandhi said the protests reflected the frustration of India’s youth over the state of public examinations and urged all political parties to respect their concerns.Speaking to reporters after the debate, Gandhi defended his allegations, saying there were only two possibilities: Either the Home Minister had ordered the action against protesters or was unaware of it. “In the first case, he is culpable. In the second case, he is incompetent,” Gandhi said, while also questioning Shah’s absence from the House during the discussion.Published on July 29, 2026
