Tougher Sentence, Higher Penalty, Fast-Track Justice: Anti-Paper Leak Bill Becomes Law After President Murmu's Nod

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by Parliament to ensure fast-track justice and enhance the punishment for accused in the paper leaks, received President Draupadi Murmu's assent on Saturday.

The law, as bill was passed initially by Lok Sabha by a voice vote and then in Rajya Sabha amid a walkout by the Opposition parties. After the president's assent, the bill has came into effect nationwide.

The new law is intended to prevent paper leaks by making punishment and penalty more stringent and ensure transparency in government and competitive examinations. As part of the provisions in the newly amended law, violators will face a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore.

Those found guilty of rigging, paper leaking or using unfair means in public examinations will be punished with imprisonment of 5-10 years and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.

Tightening the noose around the organised gangs or leak syndicates, a strict provision of at least 7 years imprisonment and a fine of at least Rs 10 crore has been made in the law.

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While Rajya Sabha cleared the bill on Thursday, Lok Sabha passed it a day earlier. According to the Central Government, the main objective of this new amendment is to maintain transparency in government and competitive examinations and to protect the future and interests of millions of youth.

Soon after the bill has cleared the Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video message, calling it a step towards a robust examination system. He added that the government will continue to work towards it and that more work will be done in coming days.

The Prime Minister stated that the government is taking steps to prevent paper leaks and exam malpractices, and that strengthening the examination system through the use of the latest technology has become imperative. He also stated that the government is working to ensure that no paper leak mafia can jeopardize the future of students.

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Opposition's concern

During the extensive debates on the bill in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the Opposition backed the need for a tough bill but expressed concern over its effectiveness when the original bill, passed in 2024, failed to prevent paper leaks.

Among other major concerns over the bill, voiced by leaders like Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee and others was its tilt towards punishment rather than prevention.

The Opposition stated that the bill falls short of ensuring prevention of the leak.