Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced a strengthened anti-paper-leak amendment bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday during the 2026 Monsoon session.
The legislation arrives after weeks of public protests over the NEET paper leak. The government aims to restore trust in national examinations by increasing the cost of fraud and accelerating the legal process.
The Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026, introduces stricter penalties for those involved in leaking exam materials. Under the new provisions, the minimum jail term for paper-leak offenses is five years [2], while the maximum penalty can reach 10 years [3].
Beyond sentencing, the bill focuses on the speed of the judicial response. The legislation mandates that investigations into paper-leak cases must be completed within two months [1]. This timeline is intended to prevent the prolonged uncertainty that often affects students after a leak is discovered.
The bill entered the lower house of Parliament in New Delhi amidst high anticipation. Government officials scheduled a 10-hour discussion on the measure [4], with young members of Parliament expected to lead the debate.
While the primary focus of the bill is to curb examination fraud, some reports have noted contradictions regarding the specific scope of the amendments. Most sources confirm the bill targets the prevention of unfair means in public examinations, though one report erroneously linked it to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
“Investigations into paper-leak cases must be completed within two months.”
This legislative push signals a shift toward a zero-tolerance policy for academic fraud in India. By coupling long-term imprisonment with a strict two-month investigation window, the government is attempting to create a deterrent that is both punitive and efficient, addressing the systemic delays that have historically plagued the Indian examination system.
