Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh will introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The legislation arrives following massive nationwide protests triggered by a NEET paper-leak scandal. The government aims to strengthen the legal framework to prevent examination fraud and ensure the integrity of public tests.

This new Bill seeks to amend an existing anti-paper-leak law that is two years old [3]. The proposed changes focus on increasing the severity of punishments and accelerating the judicial process for those found guilty of compromising exam security.

Under the proposed amendment, individuals convicted of examination-related fraud could face a maximum imprisonment of 10 years [1]. The Bill also proposes significant financial penalties, with fines reaching up to Rs 50 lakh [1].

To ensure swifter justice, the government is proposing the establishment of fast-track courts [2]. These courts would be dedicated to handling cases related to unfair means in public examinations, reducing the time between the crime and the verdict.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, who oversees Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, will table the Bill in the New Delhi parliament [2]. The move is seen as a direct response to the volatility and public outcry surrounding recent leaks in high-stakes national exams [2].

“Maximum imprisonment for examination fraud under the amendment could reach 10 years.”

The introduction of the 2026 Amendment Bill signals a shift toward a zero-tolerance policy regarding academic fraud in India. By combining deterrents—such as heavy fines and decade-long prison sentences—with structural changes like fast-track courts, the government is attempting to restore public trust in the meritocracy of national examinations after systemic failures in the NEET process.