Rajya Sabha has taken up the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 for consideration and passing. The Bill was already passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday. When the House reassembled post-lunch, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh moved the bill. Chairman CP Radhakrishnan said that seven hours have been allocated for the discussion on the bill.
Moving the Bill, Dr Jitendra Singh said that this Bill is a reaffirmation of the government’s 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 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.
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.
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.
