Parliament has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 with the Rajya Sabha approving it yesterday. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. When the House reassembled post-lunch, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh moved the bill. Chairman C P Radhakrishnan said that seven hours have been allocated for the discussion on the bill.
The legislation incorporates several significant provisions, including stringent penalties such as imprisonment for up to ten years, fines of up to ten crore rupees, and the seizure of the properties of convicted offenders. To ensure the expeditious disposal of cases, the legislation mandates that every State Government and Union Territory Administration establish Special Fast Track Courts for the day-to-day trial.
It further provides that investigations into offences must be completed within two months from the date the information is recorded at the police station. The trials must be concluded within three months from the filing of the chargesheet.
Replying to the discussion on the Bill, Minister of State for Personnel and PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, said this issue touches every citizen of India and has stake with every citizen of this country. Mr. Singh also listed the government’s efforts to prevent paper leaks and to reform the education system in the country. He said youth are a huge investment for a Viksit Bharat. The Minister said the number of AIIMS hospitals has increased from 7 to 22, and medical seats have also increased.
He said this is democratisation through accessibility and affordability of medical education. He said National Education Policy 2020 has been the biggest game changer over the last decade. He added that it has liberated adolescent children from the slavery of the subjects chosen by their parents or guardians in Class 12. The Opposition staged a walkout as the Minister was replying to the discussion.
Earlier, moving the Bill in the House, Dr Jitendra Singh said that this Bill is a reaffirmation of the government’s highest commitment to safeguard the welfare of the students and youth of this country. He said, under the new legislation, the investigation must be completed within two months and the trial within three months after filing the charge sheet. Dr Singh said, the paper leaks are a serious issue and several incidents were reported from various parts of the country in different State governments and the previous governments at the centre.
Dr Singh reiterated the Modi government’s resolve of zero tolerance towards malpractices and paper leaks of public examinations. Dr Singh said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lost no time in bringing this bill, reflecting the government’s commitment that nobody will be allowed to jeopardise the future of the students.
Initiating the discussion, Leader of the Opposition Malikarjun Kharge said the government has made only cosmetic changes in the new bill and the proposed amendments will not be effective to curb malpractices in the public examinations. He said, though the Congress supports the proposed bill but it lacks very stringent provisions to ensure transparent and paper-leak-free examinations. Mr Kharge said that the government took this step only after students raised concerns about the paper leak, irregularities in examinations, and institutional failures.
Participating in the discussion, Brij Lal of BJP said that the government has proposed amendment to the 2024 Act to make very stringent provisions to curb unfair means and malpractices in public examinations. He said the intention of the Narendra Modi government is very clear that provisions have been incorporated in the bill to establish fast track courts for speedy trials. He added that for investigation of cases, there is a provision of constituting Special Task Force.
Tiruchi Siva of DMK demanded abolition of NEET Exam. He claimed that the amended legislation will not change the education system in the country.
Supporting the Bill, Sanjay Kumar Jha of JD(U) said the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several landmark initiatives in terms of medical education.
Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajawadi Party said only increasing punishment will not prevent the crime from happening. He demanded abolition of NEET exam saying that states should be given the power to conduct entrance exams for medical education.
Supporting the legislation, Praful Patel of NCP said, everyone including the Government and opposition, is serious about the future of the students and the youth. He also called for the correct guidance for the youth. He supported the democratic right to protest but raised questions on the kind of language used during the protests.
Sanjay Singh of AAP highlighted the backlog of cases in fast-track courts and the lack of facilities in education and schools.
BJP’s Sudhanshu Trivedi said NEET exams have levelled the playing field for all students, and it is inspiring to see students from economically weaker sections do well in NEET exams. He alleged that the Opposition is trying to misguide the youth.
Congress MP Mukul Wasnik said merely increasing punishment, amount of fine, and setting up fast-track courts will not bring transparency, fairness, and credibility to the exams.
Sagarika Ghose of TMC, M Thambidurai of AIADMK, Y V Subba Reddy of YSRCP, Santrupt Misra of BJD, Manoj Jha of RJD, John Brittas of CPI(M), and Union Minister and RPI leader Ramdas Athawale also participated in the discussion among others.
Later, the House was adjourned for the day to meet again at 11 am today.
