Lok Sabha passes bill to strengthen anti-paper-leak law; higher fines, longer prison sentences

The Lok Sabha has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, today after it was introduced by the union minister Jitendra Singh. The bill will advance the anti-paper leaks law with stricter punishment of up to 10 years in jail and a Rs 50 lakh fine.

The bill has been passed after roughly eight hours of debate, during which members of parliament questioned the bill, which mainly increases penalties, in a move to curb exam paper leaks.

The debate session also saw a sharp exchange between Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and the newly appointed education minister, BJP leader Prahlad Joshi, who took over from Dharmendra Pradhan.

According to the new paper leak bill , the investigation report into paper leak cases has to be submitted within two months, PTI reported.

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Penalties under anti-paper leak bill

Individuals caught in the paper leak cases or using unfair means will get prison terms for at least 5 years and a maximum of 10 years. They will also have to pay a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, the report said.

Moreover, for organised crimes, the jail term is at a minimum of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore, it added.

Whereas, the present law on paper leak has a punishment of three to five years in jail and those involved in organised crimes get five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum of Rs 1 crore fine.

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Fast-track courts to address paper leak

The move by the government comes after the Cockroach Jantar Party (CJP) held nationwide protests, demanding reforms in the education system and the resignation of former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Following this, prime minister Narendra Modi , in a video reel, announced that the government will set up fast-track courts to address paper leak cases across the country.

Pralhad Joshi took charge of the education ministry after Pradhan submitted his resignation, following which the CJP protesters at Jantar Mantar termed his resignation as a “victory” and called off the sit-in.

The CJP protest began on June 28 over the cancellation of NEET UG 2026 paper due to alleged paper leak reports