New Delhi (India) July 29: There has been a high-pitched political battle over the ever-recurring examination paper leaks in India over the last few days, culminating in the Lok Sabha approving the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which would make India’s law against paper leaks harsher than before.
Fast-track Courts, Harsher Penalties Proposed
It has come against the backdrop of angry exchanges in Parliament between the government and the Opposition over last few days where the latter supported students protests regarding recent controversies over examinations and questioned the management of demonstrations against students' protests; conversely, the Government stated that paper leaks occurred when different political parties ruled in different times and warned Parliament not to use politics while dealing with the issue, and stated that the bill is a move to enhance integrity of the examination process and to protect the students' future.
This proposed legislation would quicken the pace of probes, establish fast-track courts, and mandate much stricter punishments for those engaged in examination paper leaks.
Jitendra Singh Urges Unity Over Student Interests
Introducing the bill in Parliament, Union Minister Jitendra Singh declared it brought in "honest spirit" by Government so to further tighten the examination process and requested the members not to politicise the issue claiming the paper leaks took place during rule of various parties in past and now the interest of students must be protected.
Defending the bill in Parliament, Union Minister Jitendra Singh reiterated the government’s prompt action post the NEET paper leak controversy and commitment to save public examination integrity. He averred that it shows the government's tendency to rectify mistakes through continuous improvement in anti-malpractice law.
Listing official figures Singh stated that 52 FIRs have been registered after the anti-paper leak law was implemented in 2024 and number of suicides due to paper leak in the recent years is decreasing which represents that law has been effective.
CJP-Led Protests After NEET Paper Leak
The anti-paper leak law is enacted post 36 day countrywide protests organized by CJP against NEET paper leak, and started in Delhi at Jantar Mantar on June 20 and gained momentum on June 28 when activist Sonam Wangchuk joined. The situation escalated on July 20 when police blocked student marchers heading towards Parliament, alleging police used harsh measures such as firing pellet guns and tear gas at protestors.
The agitation concluded Saturday as government gave into numerous demands posed by protestors including the dismissal of Dharmendra Pradhan, providing maximum possible compensation to victims' family due to suicides caused by NEET paper leak, and withdrawing all FIRs registered against them by the government.