The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday evening amid disruptions and a walkout by Opposition members, clearing the final parliamentary hurdle for the legislation. The Bill will now be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for assent before it becomes law.
The legislation, which seeks to strengthen the legal framework against examination paper leaks and other unfair means in public examinations, had already passed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Government calls Bill a step to protect students
Introducing the Bill in the Upper House, Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh described it as a reaffirmation of the Centre’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of students and young people.
Referring to the Bill’s passage in the Lok Sabha, Singh said the legislation had undergone extensive discussion despite repeated disruptions.
“The Anti-Paper Leak Bill is a reaffirmation of the government’s highest commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the students and youth of this country,” he said, urging members of the Rajya Sabha to deliberate on the proposed amendments.
Opposition walks out; minister alleges ‘vested interests’
The Bill passed amid protests from Opposition members, who staged a walkout during the proceedings.
During the debate, Singh cited several incidents of examination paper leaks that occurred during previous governments as well as in states governed by Opposition parties after 2014. He alleged that resistance to the legislation was driven by “vested interests”.
The minister also questioned why India had gone decades without a dedicated law to deal with paper leaks, saying the Narendra Modi government enacted the country’s first legislation on the issue in 2024.
What the amendment Bill proposes
Earlier this week, the amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament, days after nationwide protests over the NEET controversy culminated in the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The proposed amendments tighten penalties for examination-related offences. Individuals found guilty of leaking question papers or using unfair means could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.
It also calls for stricter action against organised paper leak syndicates, faster investigations, time-bound trials through designated fast-track courts and the creation of a special task force for investigating major examination-related offences.
NEET controversy dominated Monsoon Session
The anti-paper leak Bill has been at the centre of parliamentary discussions during the ongoing Monsoon Session, with the Opposition repeatedly raising the NEET paper leak issue and demanding accountability from the government.
Frequent disruptions over the controversy had affected proceedings since the session began on July 20, with legislative business largely limited to the introduction and passage of key Bills.
With both Houses of Parliament now approving the Bill, the amended law will come into effect after receiving the President’s approval.