Parliament passes anti-paper leak bill with stricter penalties, PM Modi says 'promise fulfilled'

The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 has now been approved by both the houses of the parliament after Rajya Sabha passed the bill on Thursday, a day after Lok Sabha cleared it. Hailing the government’s decision and stating that all promises are now fulfilled, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made another Instagram reel yesterday late evening.

The bill will now be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for further clearance to become a law.

Expressing that the anti-paper leak bill is a significant step by the government to curb malpractices in the examination process, the union education minister Pralhad Joshi, wrote on his X account: “The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, further strengthening the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 with stricter provisions against examination malpractices, has now been passed by both Houses of Parliament.”

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It was necessary to bring reform in education system: PM Modi

“It will ensure fair, transparent and merit-based public examinations while safeguarding the aspirations of millions of students. Let this be clear: Anyone who attempts to play with the future of our students or indulges in examination malpractices will face the strictest action. They will not be spared,” he added.

Moreover, he also reacted to PM Modi’s late evening video, and said that the government’s “unwavering” resolve to eradicate paper leaks, strengthen examination transparency and zero tolerance for paper leaks to protect every deserving student’s hard work and build a stronger India.

Stating the urgency to bring comprehensive reforms into the education system, PM Modi said in his latest Insta reel that it was necessary for the government to bring a mechanism to fight the menace of paper leaks and reiterated that there would be no mercy for those playing with the future of youth.

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Anti-Paper Leak Bill 2026: Up to 10 years' jail, Rs 50 lakh fine

"The Centre and many states have been facing the paper leak problem for several years," he said, adding that the menace has threatened the future of children appearing in various examinations. Hence, it has become necessary to bring comprehensive changes to the education system to deal with the problem," Modi said.

He further said that a task force has been constituted, fast-track courts are being established, and the government is seeking suggestions from states to enhance the examination process and prevent irregularities.

The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed in the parliament, is an anti-paper leak bill, which provides a punishment of up to 10 years in jail and a fine from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 10 crore for paper leaks.

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha just a day after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) ended their nationwide protest over Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.