New Delhi: With the passing of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the Union government has moved closer to further tightening the legal framework governing examinations in India.

The Bill builds upon the original 2024 Act, which was the country’s first comprehensive attempt to criminalise unfair practices in public examinations.

The move for amendments followed the NEET 2026 paper leak and widespread outrage over it. The Union government has sought to restore public confidence in examinations by introducing stronger deterrents and faster mechanisms for justice.

Stricter Punishments for Exam Fraud

Among the key features of the 2026 Amendment is the proposed increase in penalties. It enhances the quantum of imprisonment and fines for various offences.

Individuals caught using unfair means will now face imprisonment of five to 10 years, compared to the earlier three to five years, while fines have been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

Service providers — such as exam-conducting agencies or technology firms — found involved in malpractice can now face fines of up to Rs 5 crore and be debarred from conducting examinations for eight years, double the period prescribed under the 2024 Act.

Persons in charge of a service provider involved in unfair means earlier faced imprisonment between three and 10 years and a fine of Rs 1 crore. The amended Bill proposes increasing the minimum imprisonment to five years and the fine to Rs 5 crore.

Organised crime syndicates involved in paper leaks and mass cheating operations are also targeted, with fines proposed to increase to Rs 10 crore, up from the minimum Rs 1 crore under the 2024 Act, along with longer minimum prison terms.

These escalated penalties reflect the Union government’s intent to treat examination fraud as a serious economic and social crime.

Fast-Track Investigation and Trial

Beyond stricter punishment, the Bill introduces institutional mechanisms for enforcement. It provides that offences under the Act will be investigated by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) or Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

The Union government will also have the power to refer investigations to any central investigating agency, while a Special Task Force (STF) can be constituted to investigate paper leaks and organised examination-related crimes.

Importantly, investigations must be completed within two months, ensuring cases do not remain pending for long periods.

The Bill also seeks to address judicial delays by mandating fast-track trials. According to its provisions, trials must be conducted on a day-to-day basis until all witnesses are examined and completed within three months from the filing of the chargesheet.

Special Fast Track Courts will also hear related offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, or other applicable laws. States, in consultation with their respective High Courts, will designate these courts and appoint Special Public Prosecutors.

Greater Accountability for Institutions

Another significant feature of the Amendment Bill is its emphasis on institutional accountability. It explicitly covers public examination authorities, including the UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, IBPS and the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The Bill seeks to hold not only individuals but also institutions and their senior officials accountable for examination malpractice, addressing concerns raised by recent controversies involving alleged institutional lapses.

The reasons for introducing the Bill stem from rising incidents of examination malpractice that have eroded public confidence in India’s competitive examination system, which plays a crucial role in education and employment.

The Union government believes that safeguarding the integrity of public examinations is essential for ensuring fairness, protecting students’ futures and strengthening India’s credibility as a global education destination.

The proposed amendments are expected to provide greater assurance to students, impose stricter accountability on institutions, significantly increase the cost of organised examination fraud, and establish a faster judicial mechanism for dealing with such offences.

Overall, the amendments represent India’s strongest legislative push yet against examination fraud.