The amendment comes after nationwide concern over question paper leaks and irregularities in competitive examinations, even as several states had already enacted their own anti-cheating laws over the years.
ndia's latest anti-paper leak legislation raises an obvious question: if several states already had stringent anti-cheating laws -- and the Centre itself enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act in 2024 -- why was another Bill needed?
The answer lies in what the new legislation does. Rather than replacing the 2024 law, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks to make the Centre's legal framework tougher by increasing punishments, introducing time-bound investigations and trials, and strengthening enforcement against organised examination-related crimes.
The amendment also comes after nationwide concern over question paper leaks and irregularities in competitive examinations, even as several states had already enacted their own anti-cheating laws over the years.
States acted long before the Centre
While Parliament enacted its first nationwide anti-paper leak law only in 2024, several states had legislated against examination malpractice much earlier.
Odisha was among the earliest, enacting the Orissa Conduct of Examinations Act in 1988. Andhra Pradesh followed with its Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractices and Unfair Means) Act in 1997, while Uttar Pradesh enacted its own anti-cheating law in 1998. Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttarakhand also enacted similar laws over the years.
Then why did Parliament amend its own law?
One major reason is speed. The 2024 Act did not prescribe fixed timelines for investigation and trial. The amendment requires investigations to be completed within two months, proposes Special Fast Track Courts for day-to-day hearings, seeks completion of trials within three months of filing the charge sheet and provides for Special Public Prosecutors. Appeals before High Courts are also expected to be disposed of within three months, as far as possible.
The amendment also substantially raises penalties.
Those using unfair means during examinations could face imprisonment ranging from five to 10 years and fines up to Rs 50 lakh, compared with three to five years and a maximum fine of Rs 10 lakh under the existing law.
Organised examination-related offences attract a minimum sentence of seven years, extendable to 10 years, while the maximum fine increases from Rs 1 crore to Rs 10 crore.
Service providers and their managerial personnel also face steeper fines, longer debarment periods and tougher prison terms.
How does the Centre's law compare with states?
The comparison shows that while the Centre has significantly strengthened its law, some states continue to prescribe even tougher punishments.
Uttar Pradesh's 2024 law allows fines of up to Rs 1 crore and life imprisonment for repeat offenders, with offences being non-bailable.
Rajasthan's amended law is even stricter for organised paper leak rackets. It provides for imprisonment ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment and fines from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 10 crore. Convicted examinees are also barred from taking public examinations for two years.
Odisha's 2024 law broadened the definition of offenders and unfair means while introducing stricter punishments than its earlier legislation.
Andhra Pradesh expanded its law in 2006 to cover deceptive practices by coaching centres and private tutorial institutes.
A move towards a stronger national framework
The amendment indicates that the Centre is attempting to create a stronger and faster national legal framework rather than leaving enforcement to existing penal provisions.
Alongside the tougher law, the government has also constituted a task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend technology-driven reforms aimed at making public examinations more secure and restoring confidence in the examination system.
Following the Bill's passage, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said it would "dismantle the paper leak ecosystem" and enhance "transparency, credibility and fairness in the examination process."
'Focus on punishment rather than prevention'
The legislation also drew criticism from the Opposition. Speaking to reporters after the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi argued that the measure focused on punishment rather than prevention. "This is not an anti-paper leak bill; it's a punishment bill. There's nothing in it that says it will stop paper leaks," he said.
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