Archive · 30 Jul 2026
New Bill Harsher Penalties for Exam Paper Leaks
India’s Parliament made a new law to stop people from leaking exam papers.
The law says that if someone leaks a paper, they could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to 50 lakh rupees.
Companies that help leak papers could be fined 5 crore rupees.
The law also creates a special team to investigate leaks and fast‑track courts to try cases quickly.
It was made after a leaked paper was used in the NEET exam, which caused big protests and the Education Minister to leave his job.
The law is meant to make leaks harder, but it is not yet clear if it will stop them completely.
Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 on 29 July.
The bill raises maximum imprisonment to 10 years and fines to Rs 50 lakh, with service provider fines up to Rs 5 crore.
It establishes a Special Task Force and fast‑track courts with prescribed timelines for investigation and trial.
The bill follows the cancellation of NEET‑UG 2026 after a leaked guess paper overlapped with the exam.
The effectiveness of harsher penalties in preventing future leaks remains uncertain.
- Who
- Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha)
- What
- Passed an amendment bill to increase penalties for exam paper leaks
- When
- 29 July 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address recurring exam paper leaks that led to protests and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
- Bill Name
- Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Date Passed
- 29 July 2026
- Maximum Imprisonment
- 10 years
- Maximum Fine
- Rs 50 lakh
- Service Provider Fine
- Rs 5 crore
- Special Task Force
- Established
- Fast‑Track Courts
- Operating under prescribed timelines
- Related Event
- Cancellation of NEET‑UG 2026