Archive · 29 Jul 2026
Tharoor Advocates Prevention Over Punishment in Paper Leaks
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, spoke in the Lok Sabha about a bill that aims to punish people who leak exam papers.
He said that punishing people after a leak happens is not enough.
He believes the government should focus on preventing leaks in the first place.
Tharoor explained that students work very hard and carry the hopes of their families when they take exams.
If a paper leaks, it ruins their hard work.
He suggested using a system like the SAT or GRE, where students can take exams multiple times and submit their best score.
He also mentioned that the current system causes a lot of stress and has led to an increase in student suicides.
Tharoor argued that the government should create more quality institutions and seats to reduce the pressure on students.
Shashi Tharoor advocates for systemic reform to prevent paper leaks rather than just punishing those responsible.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes 10-year imprisonment and Rs 10-crore fines for paper leaks.
Tharoor suggests adopting a continuous computer-based testing system with multiple attempts, similar to the SAT or GRE.
He highlights the increase in student suicides from 8,000 in 2014 to 14,600, attributing it to the high-stress examination model.
Tharoor questions the feasibility of fast-track courts and trials within three months due to judicial system constraints.
- Who
- Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram
- What
- Debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026
- When
- July 28
- Where
- Lok Sabha
- Why
- To address the issue of paper leaks in public examinations and propose systemic reforms
Prevention Focus
Punishment Focus
Systemic Reform
Prevention Focus
Tharoor emphasizes overhauling the examination system to prevent leaks, suggesting continuous computer-based testing and multiple attempts.
Punishment Focus
The government's bill focuses on enhancing punishments, including 10-year imprisonment and Rs 10-crore fines.
Judicial Capacity
Prevention Focus
Tharoor questions the feasibility of fast-track courts and trials within three months, citing judicial system constraints.
Punishment Focus
The bill proposes fast-track courts and trials within three months to expedite justice.
- Bill Name
- Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Proposed Punishments
- 10 years imprisonment, Rs 10-crore fines
- Exam Examples
- NEET, UGC-Net, JEE
- Student Suicides
- Increased from 8,000 in 2014 to 14,600
- NTA Permanent Posts
- 39, with 15 vacant
- NEET 2026 Candidates
- 22 lakh for 1.4 lakh medical seats
- Fast Track Special Courts Pendency
- 2.46 lakh cases
Sources
‘Punishment alone won’t stop paper leaks, preventive measures needed,’ says Tharoor
Bill not enough, need system that ends paper leaks: Tharoor
Focus Needs To Be On Prevention, Not Punishment: Shashi Tharoor On Paper Leaks
'Punishment Won't Fix Paper Leaks': Tharoor's 9-Minute Late-Night Lok Sabha Speech Ends With Mic Off | WATCH
Govt bill not enough, focus must be on preventing paper leaks: Tharoor
