Amendment to paper leak Bill gets assent from President, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.
• The amended law empowers States and Union Territories to establish fast-track courts for speedy trials in public examination paper leak cases.
• Individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means now face enhanced punishment, including a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to ₹50 lakh.
• The legislation mandates that investigations into such offenses must be completed within two months, and trials concluded within three months of filing the chargesheet.

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Detailed Insights:

• The amendment strengthens the existing Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was originally enacted to curb cheating and uphold the integrity of public examinations.
• For organized crimes related to paper leaks, the amended law proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to ₹10 crore.
• The legislation also includes provisions for the confiscation of properties belonging to convicted offenders to deter malpractices.
• The government expedited the passage of this Bill following widespread student protests against the NEET 2026 paper leak.
• The Act aims to foster greater transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examination systems, reassuring aspirants about the integrity of the process.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024: A central legislation designed to prevent and penalize malpractices like paper leaks and cheating in national recruitment and entrance examinations.
• Fast-track courts: Specialized judicial bodies established to ensure the swift and efficient disposal of specific categories of cases, such as those related to examination malpractices.
• Paper Leak: The unauthorized disclosure or distribution of examination question papers or answer keys before or during a public examination.